off the pace in 4th, not fluent 4 out, weakened 3 out
off the pace in 6th, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leading pair on inside, 2nd 3 out, led between last 2, clear when good jump last, stayed on strongly
kept bit wide, tracked leader until pushed along 3 out, no extra in 3rd
off the pace in 6th, remote 5th when mistake 4 out, tailed off
jumped right at times, led until between last 2, no chance with winner when switched right before the last
CHRISTOPHER WOOD (NAP), a 148-rated hurdler who is effective on good and soft ground, should be too good for these if taking to fences. Beyond The Clouds is also a decent hurdler but he’s had only one run since wind surgery in November, finishing well beaten in a bumper. Aire Valley Lad has been out of sorts since returning from a break and Ming Dynasty has plenty to prove having only placed once in four previous runs over the larger obstacles.
Aire Valley Lad 14-1 (10-1) Pushed along in mid-division before 2nd, towards rear and never on terms after, last of 8, dist behind Nordic Combined (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in May.
Alburn 500-1 (11-4) Mid-division, keen and soon close up, not fluent 9th, soon under pressure and tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Hurricane Harvey (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gs in Oct.
Beyond The Clouds 10-3 (11-4) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Golden Taipan (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 4th, hit next, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Tommy's Oscar (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
De Mazzaro (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Towards rear, well behind after 4 out and tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Valence D'Aumont (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ming Dynasty (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 4 out, well beaten from 2 out, 5th of 6, 28l behind Whoshotthesheriff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
Oishin 7-1 (11-0) Off the pace towards rear, never on terms, 6th of 11, 29 1/4l behind Whoa Black Betty (11-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Mar.