in rear, ridden after 12th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 15th
mid-division, blundered 7th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off
prominent, chased winner 4th until 9th, handy 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 11th
mid-division, hit 8th, left 3rd 10th, hit next, no danger from 13th
tracked leaders, chased winner from 9th, no chance after 4 out
made all, drew clear after 4 out, canter
in rear, struggling 9th, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
pressed winner to 4th, remained handy, pushed along 6th, reminders 9th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off
in rear, went modest 4th when blundered and unseated rider 13th
Nonrunner
A trappy opener, and from a shortlist of HILLS OF ARAN, Cold Harbour and Chevy To The Levy, our support will go with the first-named. Keith Goldsworthy does well here, and this is his only runner on the card. The gelding has an excellent strike rate over hurdles, but has yet to land a blow in a couple of attempts over the bigger fences. The ground was probably against him on both occasions, and he won't appreciate it if the forecast rain is anything other than a light shower or two. Cold Harbour finished well down the field last month on his chase debut, but is entitled to come on for that. That was a hotter race than this too, and Evan Williams knows how to effectively place his horses in the right contest. This is his only runner as well. Chevy To The Levy is another having his second crack at chasing, after unshipping his jockey first time in his last outing at Hereford. An Fear Liath is an interesting Irish runner, who finished well down the field and has been pulled up in a couple of points back home. Maybe brought over as company for a stablemate running later on the card, but any support, however unlikely it may seem should be noted. We wouldn't take too short a price in this sort of contest, given the lack of experience of many, but in a field where nothing really stands out, the marginal pick is Hills of Aran.
An Fear Liath (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Mid-division, weakened quickly over 4f out, completely tailed off, 20th of 24, well behind On Raglan Road (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f 5yo nhf gs in Apr '08.
Back To Bills (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost ground 10th, progress 12th, not fluent 14th, ridden 4 out, weakening in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, remounted, 3rd of 4, well behind Hold Em (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m nov stks (4) gf in Apr.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Held up tracking leaders, unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Mount Benger (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chase (4) gf in Mar, 6 ran.
Cold Harbour 25-1 (10-11) Held up and hampered 1st, ridden 13th, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 9, 27l behind Tyup Pompey (10-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, chased leader, regained lead before 6th, headed well before 3 out, driven after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 36l behind Definity (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Hills Of Aran 9-4fav (11-0) Led, hit 9th, soon pushed along, headed approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out, last of 5, 40l behind Tazbar (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 9th of 15, well behind Saafend Rocket (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf.
The Artful Fox 14-1 (10-0) In touch, outpaced from 11th, weakened 13th, 6th of 7, well behind Caipiroska (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Which Alice (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 7th, blundered 8th, lost 2nd after 3f out and soon hung left, swished tail and weakened, pulled up after 2f out, in a race won by Irish Guard (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Run of Kings (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders early, behind from 8th, 13th of 15, well behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
