mid-division, tracked leaders 4th until pulled up before 7th
held up in last pair, tracked leaders 6 out, outpaced on outer 3 out, weakened last
led 2nd to next, tracked leader, led again when blundered 6 out, hard pressed 2 out, ridden after last, held on gamely towards finish
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace flat
mid-division on outer, tracked leaders 8th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on flat, no impression
tracked leaders, blundered and dropped to mid-division 6th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
in touch, led 3rd, headed 6 out, pressed winner, ridden after 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra in 3rd towards finish
mistake 2nd, held up in last pair, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden after next, one pace last, no impression flat
held up towards rear, tracked leaders after 5th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to press winner towards finish, just held
chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place 8th, in rear when blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
Withdrawn
NonRunner
Royal Vacation’s impressive run came to an end in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and he’s had a busy campaign. Theinval, placed at Cheltenham and Aintree, has developed into a tough handicapper but has only won in small fields so far and stable companion Kilcrea Vale is arguably better treated now. As De Mee led until the last in the Topham last time but really needs some cut in the ground while Brother Tedd won’t be winning any time soon unless he improves his jumping. This may be too far for Ayr runner-up Romain De Senam but not far enough for Fingerontheswitch, but the latter’s stablemate SHANTOU VILLAGE has strong claims. A very smart novice hurdler, this will be the seven-year-old’s toughest task to date over the larger obstacles but he has untapped potential and good going is ideal. Casino Markets, from last year’s winning yard, is possibly a few pounds too high but has each-way possibilities.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, dropped off front trio 7th, closed from 12th, losing place 14th, weakened after next, pulled up after 4 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Theinval (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked front pair, went 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Cloudy Dream (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Shantou Village (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Made all, clear 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr beating Red Hanrahan (11-0) by 12l, 4 ran.
As De Mee (FR) 8-1jfav (10-13) Tracked leaders, left disputing 2nd from 12th (canal turn), led before last, ridden and headed approaching elbow, no extra and lost 2 places near finish, 5th of 29, 7 3/4l behind Ultragold (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Plaisir D'Amour (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Jumped well, chasing leaders on outside 3rd, 2nd from 7th, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating Magic Money (10-1) by 6l, 5 ran.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5th to 8th (water), left in narrow lead again when hit 4 out, headed after next, outpaced before 2 out, well held after, 5th of 8, 19l behind Yorkhill (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar.
Casino Markets (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway before 8th, not quicken after 3 out, went 3rd and kept on from after 2 out, unable to challenge winner, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Henryville (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Poker School (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in last pair, slow 3 out, closed 2 out, outpaced before last, went 4th and stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Silverhow (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Brother Tedd 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, tracked winner 2nd, not fluent next, challenged 4 out, every chance next, pushed along before 2 out, no impression before last, lost 2nd final 150 yards, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Present Man (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr.
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 9th, went 4th after 5 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 14, 23l behind Willoughby Hedge (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Romain De Senam (FR) 11-2 (10-2) Mid-division, hampered 5 out, driven and headway 3 out, ridden to chase front pair after next, kept on to take narrow 2nd closing stages, no impression with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Vaniteux (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Dark Flame (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up 4th, tracked leading pair 7th, pushed along briefly 10th, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd final 150 yards, held, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Present Man (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr.
