in touch, went 2nd 10th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
prominent, lost place 5th, mid division when fell 7th
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
never going well, soon behind, pulled up before 6th
led to 5th, ridden 10th, soon lost place, stayed on approaching last, no danger
held up towards rear, headway 10th, weakened 2 out, 9 lengths 6th when fell last
led into start, in rear, mistake 7th, headway on inside approaching 11th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 2 out, no quickened towards finish
soon in mid division, in rear when brought down 7th
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mistake 3rd, always in rear
mid-division, no fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden 10th, behind from next
raced keenly towards rear, mistake 4th, struggling after 4 out
soon pressing leader, led 5th, ridden after 2 out, driven out
always handy, ridden when switched left approaching last, ran on towards finish
Nikola, Kilrogan and Seafield Bogie are the trio that make the shortlist here with Nikola taken to follow up a good win last time. Kilrogan has won two of his last three starts, but is six pounds higher for a hard fought win last time and he is taken on. Seafield Bogie enjoyed this trip when scoring in a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbott last time. It would be easy to dismiss that win but it is worth noting that he is racing off a three pound lower mark than when last running in a handicap and should not be overlooked. Nikola has won two of his last four starts but is 12 pounds higher for a short head win over Sninfia last time. Howver, the runner-up has romped home since and Nikola can take this contest.
Blaeberry 8-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind One Gulp (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Forest Green (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, ridden 7th, badly hampered 3 out, headway to challenge next, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Idian Mix (10-1) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Templer (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, rallied to lead again next, headed approaching last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Boychuk (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 9th, stayed on again flat, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 7l behind Kilrogan (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Nikola (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led approaching 8th. headed 2 out, rallied to lead towards finish, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf beating Sninfia (10-0) by a shd, 8 ran.
Greenhope (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 4 out, weakened last, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Sou'wester (11-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Kilrogan (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 4 out, all out towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Storm of Applause (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, pushed along after next, chased winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr.
