made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden after 4th, soon out pace
behind, ridden and struggling from 4th, tailed off when pulled up for 8th
tracked leaders, chased winner from 5th until after 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place and reminded approaching 4th
tracked leaders, headway approaching 6th, chased winner after 3 out, going well and every chance 2 out, found nil and hung left approaching last
tracked winner and keen, lost place after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
in rear and mistakes, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 7th
General Alarm took advantage of the drop to selling grade when successful at Sedgefield last month and has to be respected on that evidence but he was subsequently well held at Uttoxeter and may struggle to shoulder his penalty again today so preference is for First Fought, who gets the vote ahead of Hardybuck. The last mentioned has disappointed in his last two starts over fences but has to be considered back over hurdles today. Give Me Love is another that reverts to hurdles after a spell chasing and has to be considered in a race as weak as this. Erte has been well held in recent starts, while Ar An Shron is difficult to recommend on the evidence of recent form. The vote then goes to Don McCain's First Fought, who ran better dropped to this grade at Ludlow earlier this month and he looks the one they all have to beat.
General Alarm 9-2 (10-13) Led, soon clear until 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Barren Lands (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gf.
Ar An Shron 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until after 7th, hit 8th, not run on, 8th of 12, well behind Dusty Dane (11-6) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Erte 12-1 (10-7) Held up, hit 7th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 36l behind Reasonably Sure (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gf in Mar.
First Fought (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, ridden after next, stayed on one pace from 2 out, edged right approaching last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Desert Lover (10-12) at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (5) gd.
Gavanello 66-1 (10-9) Close up, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Blushing Hilary (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Give Me Love (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Hit 5th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Master Somerville (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Hardybuck (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) In touch, dropped rear halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 11 ran.
Romeo (FR) 125-1 (10-9) In rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Stolen Moments (10-7) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Marufo (11-12) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd, 17 ran.