held up in rear, mistake 10th, soon weakened, pulled up 13th
led, headed before 14th, mistake next, soon under pressure, rallied and stayed on after last
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, under pressure approaching 12th, chased leaders 5 out, went 2nd 2 out, never troubled winner
in touch, tracked leaders 8th, hard driven 3 out, effort next, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, soon behind, headway 8th, tracked leaders next, lost place 11th
always prominent, led 14th, strongly challenged approaching 2out, stayed on gamely
raced in rear, never jumped well, detatched after 4th, pulled up 13th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is quite competitive and from a shortlist of PLANE PAINTER, Allterrain and Oamaru Stone we will put forward Plane Painter as the pick. The selection was a fair sort on the flat and he shapes as though he could make into a decent chaser. He ran really well last time behind Siouxme and if this frontrunner reproduces that effort today then he should take plenty of beating. Allterrain could be the fly in the ointment as he beat El Batal in convincing fashion last time. That was a much improved effort but he does have a penalty to contend with here and that could make him vulnerable.Oamaru Stone has been disappointing so far over hurdles but he comes from a decent family and it will be interesting to see if he can improve over these bigger obstacles. Ethiopia has won over the course and distance, while Cave Hill has got some solid placed form but he hasn't actually won a race since 2006. We are therefore happy to stick with Plane Painter who looks the one to beat.
My Fella (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 18th of 20, well behind Carrigeen King (11-5) at Cork 2m 3f mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Apr '09.
Plane Painter (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, pushed along before 14th, driven along and kept narrow advantage from 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied under pressure flat until no extra and held final 50 yards, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Siouxme (10-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Oamaru Stone (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) In rear, pushed along 7th, always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Dawn At Sea (11-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Allterrain (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Led until 2nd, tracked leader, challenged 8th, led 10th, in command when rider lost iron briefly 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr beating El Batal (10-7) by 9l, 6 ran.
Hemington 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 13th, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Theatre Diva (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Ethiopia 6-1 (11-4) Led until 3rd, chased leader until before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 50l behind Wor Rom (10-11) at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Alfabet Souk 20-1 (12-7) Lost tch 6; to, 3rd of 6, well behind Makena (11-7) at Erw Lon 3m ptp in Feb.
Cave Hill (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Grand Zouki (11-1) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Konigsbote (GER) 17-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Wor Rom (10-1) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.