led, ridden 2 out, headed when mistake last, no extra flat
prominent, ridden 8th, outpaced 10th, never dangerous
always in rear, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, reminders 7th, soon behind
in touch, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
held up, headway 10th, ridden and blundered 2 out, no extra
in touch, mistake 6th, one pace from 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, chased winner flat, kept on
mid-division, one pace from 4 out
GENERAL HARDI is our call in this contest with Whatcanyasay and Longdale put up as alternatives. John Wade managed to locate a poor staying chase at Newcastle for our selection and while the assessor is likely to take a dim view of that effort, it is understandable as to why the decision to race under a penalty has been made. Whatcanyasay has developed into something of a Catterick specialist of late. He has won over course and distance in the past so don't rule him out. Longdale ran far better than his finishing position last month suggests. If his jumping holds together, there are place claims today. Aviation has slipped back to a winning mark. His consistency gives the assessor very little room for manoeuvre. Campbell Gillies has been riding at the peak of his powers and he'll need to do so in order to get Naval Attache home. Lawaaheb returns from almost a year off the course but Tim Walford is a dab hand at having them ready first time out so any market move should be noted. Whatadifference has produced slightly better efforts for the application of a tongue tie and this is tried again under leading amateur pilot, Lucy Horner. Imtihan likes fast ground though is not particularly in love with the idea of winning races. General Hardi is taken to follow up his recent success.
Aviation 8-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 18, 35l behind Cassius (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
General Hardi 10-3fav (11-12) Close up, led 5th, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar beating Sands Rising (10-13) by 14l, 8 ran.
Imtihan (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) With leader, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 13l behind Aldiruos (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Whatadifference (USA) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway to go 2nd 3 out, kept on from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Professor Higgins (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf in Mar.
Whatcanyasay 4-1 (10-7) Chased winner to 8th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Stagecoach Amber (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Major Catch (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders after 6th, soon struggling, 6th of 9, 26l behind Flaming Cheek (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, effort after 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Lord On The Run (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Longdale 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 11th, effort when hit 3 out, soon ridden 3rd, held, stumbled last, no extra, 5th of 13, 16l behind Nicozetto (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Buckstruther (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next, in a race won by Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Naval Attache 15-2 (11-2) In touch, hit 11th, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Nicozetto (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Parking Ticket (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) With leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, well behind Simple Jim (11-12) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
