chased leaders, not fluent 7th, lost place quickly after 9th, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent and reminder 8th, weakened after 3 out
took keen hold in touch, ridden approaching 10th, weakened when mistake 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, mistake and went 3rd last
held up in rear, raced keenly, mistake 9th, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon edged left, in command when not fluent last, comfortably
held up in rear, effort under pressure after 3 out, no impression on leaders approaching 2 out
led to 9th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway after 9th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leader, jumped right and led 9th, headed after 3 out, beaten 2 out, lost 3rd last
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 9th, mistake and hampered 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Grand Slam Hero was a comfortable winner at Ludlow last time and can follow up here under a penalty, while Petit Lord and Clemax look the main dangers. The selection acts well on fast ground and had been slipping down the handicap before winning last time. The step up by another three furlongs does not look at though it will inconvenience him and now back-to-form he can follow up under a penalty. Three miles and fast ground also suits Petit Lord, who rattled up four wins in succession last year over hurdles and predominantly fences. Back in this sphere he may well be a handicap snip is he stays this far and Ruby is up, suggesting connections are serious. Clemax was resolute in winning over 3m 1f at Perth last time and he can again go well, though the opposition here looks tougher. Openide acts well around this sharp track and but has been out of sorts for a while and is taken on again and It's In The Stars may be able to get competitive if handling conditions and the marked step up in trip. Our Jim is another with frame claims but for the winner we will side with Grand Slam Hero.
Openide 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear, struggling from 19th, 8th of 24, 44l behind Iris De Balme (9-7) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Evelith Echo 2-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Crescent Island (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Tritonville Lodge (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 17l behind Raslan (11-8) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May '07.
It's In The Stars 10-3 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Canalturn (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, smooth headway 8th, hit next, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last ran on well flat, eased close home, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Legally Fast (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
Petit Lord (FR) 2-1 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 17th, went 3rd next, weakened after 3 out, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 6, 31l behind Beat The Boys (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Apr.
Clemax (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Led to 2 out, battled back to lead run-in, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf beating Cluthe Boy (10-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rajayoga 11-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept, 18 ran.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leader to 3rd, pushed along and lost place 6th, lost touch from 8th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Grand Slam Hero (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Our Jim 7-1 (10-8) In touch, chased winner 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Wogan (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Tension Point 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, ridden after 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
