with leader, led 2nd, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden after next, rallied to regain lead last, held on towards finish, all out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th, driven and lost place before 3 out, ridden and no impression in 4th before next
held up behind, headway 11th, pressed front pair 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner flat, just held towards finish
held up behind, ridden after 4 out, never a threat
led to 2nd, chased winner, lost place after 9th, behind from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 6th, mid-division, outpaced 4 out, behind when blundered next
not fluent 1st, held up in rear when fell next
mid-division, tracked leaders after 9th, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra in 3rd flat
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, no impression before next
Withdrawn
Shimla Dawn arrives on the back of successive point-to-point victories but this looks a tougher question to answer. Royalraise is of interest having joined the hunter chase ranks and Gina Andrews is an excellent booking, whilst we await to see if this new discipline will truly rekindle the spark in O Maonlai. Argot is solid in these contests but this could well prove to be a battle of the veterans. GALWAY JACK has a pleasing record around here and seems as good as ever this season in which he is unbeaten to date. He is preferred to Shotavodka, a decent chaser in his prime with David Pipe and a good winner on his hunter chase debut. He was outclassed in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham but this drop in grade brings him bang into calculations as the main danger to the topweight.
Galway Jack (IRE) 11-4 (12-6) Made all, shaken up before last, kept on well, won at Warwick 2m 4f (6) sft in Mar beating Barrakilla (12-2) by 14l, 3 ran.
Argot 6-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, ridden before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, dist behind Full Trottle (12-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gs in Apr.
Shotavodka (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, weakened 3 out, finish, tired, walked over line, 14th of 24, dist behind Pacha Du Polder (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) sft in Mar.
Bambi Du Noyer (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Always behind, never a factor, 5th of 8, dist behind Vivaldi Collonges (12-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (6) sft in Mar.
Edeiff's Lad 14-1 (12-0) (h) wl bhnd 14; ur 3 out, at Higham 3m in Apr.
Grouse Lodge (IRE) 9-1 (12-5) Hdwy 8; outpcd 14, 3rd of 16, 24l behind Dance Of Time (12-5) at Charm Park 3m in Apr.
Noble Friend (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (h) (tt) a bhnd; t.o & pu 3 out, at Charlton Horethorne 3m sft in Mar.
Royalraise (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) In touch when fell 1st, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Shimla Dawn (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Made all; drew clr 3 out; easy, won at Charm Park 3m in Apr beating Path To Freedom (11-13) by 20l, 6 ran.
O Maonlai (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, steady headway tracking leaders 11th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, mistake 2 out, went 2nd and mistake last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Salubrious (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (6) hvy in Apr.
