chased leader early, moderate 7th halfway, no extra after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching 4 out, no extra in moderate 6th after 3 out
chased leader, slow 6th, 3rd halfway, pushed along in 5th 3 out, no impression when mistake next, kept on one pace
settled in mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders before 3 out, disputed lead approaching 2 out, headed under pressure run-in, no extra closing stages
always towards rear, behind when fell last
led, tended to jump left, extended lead to 8 lengths after 4th, reduced advantage 5 out and soon strongly pressed, headed entering straight, no extra after 2 out
chased leader, went 2nd halfway, closer from 5 out, disputed lead from early straight, kept on under pressure, led run-in and stayed on well
settled in mid-division, went 4th halfway, smooth headway to close after 5 out, led briefly when blundered 4 out, 3rd next, soon driven along and no extra from 2 out, kept on one pace
MONTAN was engaged in the 4.55 here yesterday so that result should be monitored as his overall form would give him an outstanding chance if taking part in this. UK raider Sam Lord ran well enough in a Grade 2 at Ayr last month to pose a threat while Uncle Tom Cobley ran his best race for some time at Fairyhouse last month and is another with a chance. Bellvano has done nowhere near as well as expected over fences and was beaten at 1/5 at Southwell in January. Presumably Nicky Henderson still has faith in him so it wouldn't be a shock to see him go well. If Montan is absent then Darceys Dancer could be the one as his close second to the useful Loosen My Load in a Grade 3 here in October is very strong form.
Darceys Dancer (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 2nd when slight mistake 5 out, pushed along to close before straight, dropped to 3rd and no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Torphichen (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f chs gd in Apr.
Hidden Crack 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd entering straight, led before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, 3rd and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Another Palm (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-123 gd in Apr.
Lastoftheleaders (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and dropped to rear before straight, no extra, 7th of 12, 30l behind Idarah (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Apr.
Montan (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Settled mid-division, ridden in 6th and no impression after 4 out, left 5th 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 35l behind Coscorrig (10-13) at Navan 2m nov chs in Mar.
Sam Lord 22-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, hit 12th, went 5th 13th, chased clear leading pair 4 out, jumped left 2 out, left 2nd when mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Gilbarry (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd 3 out, headway under pressure to lead narrowly at last, soon headed run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Un Hinged (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gd in Apr.
Bellvano (GER) 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Final Approach (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar, 26 ran.
Keki Buku (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Mistakes, mid-division, lost place when hampered 5 out, outpaced when mistake next, weakened 3 out, 10th of 23, 30l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Spice Hill (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Coscorrig (10-13) at Navan 2m nov chs in Mar.
Any Bets (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, progress from before 3 out, challenged and disputed lead from next, led late run-in and stayed on best, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Apr beating Mahrajaan (11-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
