led, ridden 2 out, pressed next, headed near finish
close up, chased leader 9th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 3rd, ridden 7th, struggling from 9th
tracked leader until 8th, soon lost place, towards next, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to press leader last, stayed on to lead near finish
held up, headway 8th, tracked leader next, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, never near leaders
NonRunner
GALWAY JACK began his current winning streak with a victory in last year’s renewal and landed a four-timer of hunter chases with last month’s course and distance success. He’s the one to beat in his current form. Pass The Hat and Johnny Og have a shout at the weights but neither arrive in great form for their return to regulation fences and Sam Cavallaro may prove a bigger threat on a recent third in one of these events at Cheltenham. Such A Legend finished runner-up on his last visit to this venue but Bambi Du Noyer has plenty to find with the likely favourite.
Galway Jack (IRE) 9-4 (12-6) With leader, led 2nd, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden after next, rallied to regain lead last, held on towards finish, all out, won at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in Apr beating Shotavodka (12-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bambi Du Noyer (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up behind, ridden after 4 out, never a threat, 6th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Galway Jack (12-6) at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in Apr.
Bawden Rocks 25-1 (12-0) Hdwy aft 8; wknd qckly app 2 out, 4th of 9, dist behind Aunty Joan (11-7) at Dingley 3m in May.
Johnny Og 4-1 (11-7) Led to 3; ev ch 3 out; wknd nxt, 3rd of 5, 13 1/4l behind Arthur's Secret (11-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m 2f in Apr.
Pass The Hat 10-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 8th 3 out, no impression before next, 8th of 15, 19 3/4l behind Cantlow (10-3) at Killarney 3m 2f hcp gd in May.
Sam Cavallaro (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven 4 out, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on flat, no imrpession, 3rd of 15, 16 3/4l behind Monsieur Gibraltar (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m (5) gd in May.
Martha's Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 11th, hampered 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Popaway (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (4) gd in May.
Such A Legend 10-1 (11-7) (tt) led to 7; wknd qckly 3 out; t.o & virt pu flat, 6th of 7, 36 1/4l behind Starkie (11-7) at Hackwood Park 2m 4f gd in May.