tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and joined next, strongly pressed at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, all out
always behind, trailing when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led from 6th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 4th 2 out, no impression
led, headed 6th, regained lead 4 out, headed next, ridden and disputed lead again 2 out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 5 out, under pressure in moderate 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden and progress into 4th 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on inner, 6th 4 out, ridden from next, no impression
rear of mid-division, dropped to lead and pushed along at 9th, mistake and unseated rider 7 out
mid-division, 5th on outer 4 out, ridden and weakened from next, pulled up before 2 out
On The Fringe has won this four times and will be supported to make it five though his champion hunter crown has slipped a little. Only fourth in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham, an early mistake unsettled him at Aintree and he was eventually pulled up, the first time he's failed to finish since falling in this in 2012. He'll be an obvious threat to all but BALNASLOW, at two years younger, should have his measure. Derek O'Connor's mount just failed to peg back Dineur at Aintree and though a place behind his great rival at Cheltenham can reverse the placing and take this. Mendip Express wasn't beaten far at Aintree and Philip Hobbs wouldn't be sending him here unless thought capable of a big run while the youngster Monsieur Gibraltar also travels from the UK having gained his fourth easy victory in succession at Ascot. Minella For Value beat the once top-class Sir Des Champs narrowly at Castletown earlier this month and looks best of the remainder.
Balnaslow (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Chased leaders early, soon dropped into mid-division, struggling and outpaced from 12th(canal turn), headway before 2 out, kept on run-in, kept on well to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 28, 1 3/4l behind Dineur (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Dantes King (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th, ridden and no impression from 5 out, remote 4th from 2 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Maple Mons (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Dimple (FR) 9-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 8th, pressed 2 out, asserted and stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 5f gd in Apr beating Island Master (12-0) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Home Farm (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Mid-div, 5th 1/2way, prog in 5th bef 2out, went 3rd aft 2out, kow & just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 9, 4l behind B L Swagger (12-2) at Cragmore 3m gs in Feb.
Mendip Express (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led from and jumped left 2nd, headed before 8th, ridden before last, kept on run-in, 5th of 28, 5l behind Dineur (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Minella For Value (IRE) 2-5 (12-2) Ld, jnd 6th, hdd aftr 5out, rdn bef 3out, 2nd 2out, 2 1/l 2nd at last & qckn well on flat, ld on line, won at Dromahane 3m gd in Apr beating Murdo Mackenzie (12-2) by shd, 6 ran.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 8-11fav (12-2) Tracked leading pair until 5th, close up, 3rd again 9th, led 13th, clear from 2 out, great jump last, very easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f fll (5) gd in Apr beating Hazy Tom (11-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
On The Fringe (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) Close up early, blundered 3rd (the chair),soon dropped into mid-division, weakened from 11th, tailed of and pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Sir Des Champs (FR) 11-10 (12-2) Ld, 3l adv when slow 5th, mstk 8th, hdd bef 2out, no ch with wnr bef last, kow, 2nd of 3, 2l behind Western Man (12-2) at Dromahane 3m gd in Apr.
Maple Mons (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outer, 2nd at 5th, disputed lead from 7th, headed 12th, regained lead 4 out, pushed along and went clear 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Good - Yielding in Apr beating B L Swagger (11-5) by 12l, 7 ran.
