took keen hold, held up in rear, blundered 7th, not fluent and ridden 12th, steady headway on inside from 14th, went 3rd 4 out, not on terms with front pair when hit 3 out, weakened before next, lost poor 3rd flat
made most, mistake 11th, headed next, led again before 13th, headed next, chased leader until 4 out, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before last
held up in touch, headway 11th, led next until approaching 13th, led again next, mistake and headed 2 out, well held before last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, joined leaders 11th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, ridden clear before last, stayed on well
with leader, pecked 3rd, lost 2nd 10th, outpaced before 13th, behind from 15th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders, joined leaders 8th, went 2nd approaching 10th untilridden 13th, outpaced 15th, went poor 3rd flat
French Ties ran out a very easy winner over 2m4f at Uttoxeter last week. He has a penalty to carry here and an extra half-mile to cover but can't be ignored if in the same mood. Phar Again will have needed his run at Market Rasen earlier this month and should do better here, while old-timer Gerrard goes well here and is another who should have benefited from a recent outing. But the vote goes to HEVER ROAD, who is still 2lb lower than when scoring over C&D in April last year despite winning by six lengths at Warwick earlier this month.
French Ties (IRE) 5-1fav (11-4) Hampered 1st, held up detached in rear, took keen hold and took closer order 5th, headway 5 out, challenged on outside when mistake and rider lost iron next, soon recovered to lead, clear 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs beating Sawpit Supreme (11-8) by 19l, 11 ran.
Phar Again (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 31l behind O Crotaigh (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
Gerrard (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, under pressure 10th, left in 3rd at 12th, led approaching 3 out, blundered next, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Mickytaker (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off from 10th, blundered 5 out, blunderd 6 out, went remote 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, well behind Cucumber Run (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Hever Road (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) With leader, outright leader 13th, joined 3 out, pressed next, better jump to assert last, driven clear flat, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Shannons Boy (11-10) by 6l, 6 ran.
Von Galen (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) Prominent, left in lead at 12th, headed 4 out, soon outpaced, headway before 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Mickytaker (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Ifonlyalfie 25-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, with leader, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 26l behind Hawk Mountain (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
