always in rear, struggling from 7th, tailed off
pulled hard early, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd and not fluent 6th, challenged from 8th, held before 4 out, weakening into 3rd when pulled up before 3 out
tended to jump left, chased leaders until lost place 7th, left poor 3rd 3 out, tailed off
tracked winner to 6th, ridden and losing place when blundered and unseated rider 8th
held up, went 3rd at 7th, still plenty to do when closed steadily from 4 out, chased winner approaching next, kept on well from last, held near finish
made virtually all, not fluent 7th, in command before 4 out, hard ridden and hung left run in, held on near finish
Chef Tartare, Venn Ottery and Cracking Dawn are the three for the shortlist in this hunters' chase and we give the narrow vote to Cracking Dawn . The selection is relatively unexposed for an 11-year-old and he has had more than his fair share of problems. But he ran well last time when narrowly beaten by Swincombe and although he would ideally be suited by a longer trip, he does go on the ground and we will nominate him as the one to beat. Venn Ottery is returning from a break today so may just need the run on ground that is far from ideal. He does have Tom Greenall in the plate which is a big plus but all his winning form is on faster ground so for that reason we will take him on. Chef Tartare was formerly with Paul Nicholls and he won well when last seen out in April, defeating Edmo Yewkay. He will have his trip and ground conditions to suit today and he should be capable of making the frame. First Love is from a yard in form but he looks to have a little to find with the rest today and for the winner we will stick with Cracking Dawn
El Bandito (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) 3rd of 4, 45l behind Golden Jack (12-5) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd.
Venn Ottery 25-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway and hit 12th (Canal Turn), weakened 2 out, 7th of 30, 26l behind Katarino (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (B) gs in Apr.
Newick Park 100-30 (12-5) 2nd of 3, 10l behind Star Glow (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gf in Jan.
Scotmail Boy (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (10-0) Led 2nd, headed approaching 14th, weakened 18th, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Puntal (11-4) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gf in Apr '04, 18 ran.
Cracking Dawn (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Not fluent, held up in touch, hit 12th, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on well flat, just held, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Swincombe (11-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs.
First Love 40-1 (10-6) Prominent, stumbled when rider lost iron briefly and lost place 3rd, reminders after 5th, weakened after 7th, 9th of 18, well behind Nonantais (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Apr.
Chef Tartare (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led 2 out, hit last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Apr beating Edmo Yewkay (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
