tracked leader until 3rd, hit next, tracked leading pair until 9th, mistake next, rallied 12th, 2nd again approaching 14th, pushed along and every chance when fell 2 out
always in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit next, outpaced 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
reacked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd until 11th, chased leaders, went left 12th, blundered 13th, weakened 3 out, left modest 3rd next
held up in touch in last pair, headway tracking leading pair 9th, went 2nd 11th until before 14th, chased leading pair, pushed along approaching 3 out, left 2nd next, led before last, stayed on well, driven out
led, headed before last, no extra run-in
NonRunner
MORE BUCK'S has been raised 6lb for his Fontwell victory but did it easily that day and has the scope to defy a higher mark in this. Sugar Baron beat a subsequent winner at Wincanton but that was over an extended 3m. Dark Flame only won a maiden hurdle at Ascot in April but has already won a point-to-point so should be suited by the switch to fences. Ballyhenry and Wilberdragon could also make their mark over the larger obstacles and make more appeal than Orchard Boy.
Sugar Baron (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, stumbled 1st, sometimes jumped a little big and slow, ridden approaching 3 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f (4) gf in May beating Present Man (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Orchard Boy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Close up, headway to press winner 2 out when rider dropped reins on landing, blundered next, not recover, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Young Dillon (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Wilberdragon 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader to after 7th, in touch, ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Ballyoptic (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Dark Flame (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, ridden between last two, challenged last, stayed on gamely to lead close home, won at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Apr beating Bold Runner (11-2) by hd, 13 ran.
More Buck's (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, hit 1st, led 3rd, jumped right and not fluent 9th, went right 10th, not fluent and in command 2 out, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Tanit River (11-7) by 8l, 4 ran.
Ballyhenry (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders on inside, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching last, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
