held up, not fluent 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 5th
not fluent, behind, ridden after 8th, mistake 11th, stayed on approaching 2 out, just failed for 2nd
held up, hampered 9th, headway when not much room on bend after 11th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no extra from last
chased leading pair, ridden 10th, 3 lengths 4th when pecked 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th and no chance when fell last
jumped left, led, clear approaching 4th until before 11th, headed and mistake 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden 9th, struggling from 11th, lost touch from 12th
chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, drew clear after last
Papillon de Iena, Sir Brastias and Mokum look the three to concentrate on in the opener and the tentative vote is given to Papillon de Iena. The selection won well last time out when beating Arctic Spirit and although having a penalty for that win he on with plenty in hand and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Sir Brastias rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Appach. However that was over a shorter trip and this longer trip has to be of concern and he looks opposable on that basis. Mokum is another that could go well on his latest second behind Glen Thyme. That form has since been franked and with his yard in form he should be closely watched in the market. Of the remainder Kercabellec is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but for the winner we return to Papillon de Iena.
Sir Brastias 11-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 8th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and edged left to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Appach (10-13) by 8l, 10 ran.
Pipssalio (SPA) 25-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden after 3 out, headway on outside from 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, 7th of 18, 16l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd in Apr.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place 5th, not fluent 6th, headway next, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ran on, eased close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Arctic Spirit (10-13) by 5l, 6 ran.
Mokum (FR) 9-2jt-fav (11-4) Held up, ridden 8th, headway approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Glen Thyne (10-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Kercabellec (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Led 2nd, ridden and jumped left 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Rob The Five (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Radbrook Hall 20-1 (11-5) Always behind, pushed along 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Annie Fleetwood (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Lowe Go 14-1 (10-8) Led and jumped left throughout, headed 2nd, led 15th to after 17th, close 2nd when pecked badly and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Roddy The Vet (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Isotop (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, weakened and tailed off from 15th, left remote 3rd next, 3rd of 5, well behind Steppes of Gold (11-2) at Southwell 3m 2f beg chs (4) gf.
