tended to jump right and pushed along at times, tracked leaders, reminders after 8th, struggling after next, poor 5th when pulled up before 2 out
led until before 4 out, chased winner, went right 2 out, ridden and stayed on same pace fom last
took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 4th, led before 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, in command when shaken up before last, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leading trio, reminders after 7th, ridden and stayed on same pace fom 4 out
in rear, not fluent 6th, struggling 9th, soon tailed off, left poor 5th before 2 out, eased after last
chased clear leading pair, trying to close when blundered 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
Kevin Tork, who saddles June French, won this 12 months ago and Tim Vaughan trained the winner in 2012. The latter has the likely favourite this time in THE OMEN, who bids to defy a 10lb higher mark after winning by six lengths at Worcester. Alan Johns claims 7lb off the eight-year-old, who is hard to oppose given Alright Benny was well behind June French here last time in a race in which Sitting Back unseated his rider when behind. Shantou Breeze won over course and distance in April but is still 4lb higher and returns from a break.
Shantou Breeze (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 5th, not fluent 8th, weakened before 10th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Wor Rom (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
The Omen 14-1 (9-7) Prominent, led 7th, ridden clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Pure Poteen (11-8) by 6l, 12 ran.
Alright Benny (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 32l behind Famousandfearless (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.
June French (FR) 8-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, went clear of remainder, no impression before 4 out, jumped left and awkward 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 41l behind Topthorn (10-5) at Worcester 2m am hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft.
Willy Be Lucky (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, went 2nd after 7th, led 9th, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 35l behind Amuse Me (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May '12.
Sitting Back (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Last pair, mistake and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Famousandfearless (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep, 7 ran.
