chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, clear before last, easily
led until headed 5th, chased leader, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd approaching next, rallied to modest 3rd last until close home
held up in rear, mistake 4 out, headway after 2 out, stayed on before last, went modest 3rd close home
not fluent, towards rear and early reminders, mistake 6th, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, not fluent 2 out, weakened soon after
blundered and towards rear 3rd, headway 11th, went 3rd 2 out, went modest 2nd well before last, no chance with winner
behind, struggling from 9th, never on terms
chased leaders, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
chased leader, led 5th, headed after 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened before last
held up, headway to chase leaders 9th, mistake and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off
A cracking contest for the track and time of year and most can be given some sort of chance. Rebel Du Maquis bounced back to form at Exeter last month and competes in his first handicap, while Invisible Man confirmed his recent improvement by beating Swing Bill and Commemoration Day at Worcester 10 days ago, though both the second and fifth are better off now and the latter thrives around here. NIKOS EXTRA was always going well when beating Ian Williams' six-year-old at Haydock in March however and, though the latter is better off at the weights now, Alan King's chaser can confirm the form. The Jigsaw Man wasn't disgraced over an inadequate trip at Punchestown last time and looks the pick of the remainder ahead of the consistent Qianshan Leader.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 4-7fav (11-3) Made all, clever at 7th, clear 10th until 3 out, in control between last 2, went right last, came clear flat, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gf in Apr beating Lady Hillingdon (10-11) by 9l, 4 ran.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Soon led at fast pace, ridden 2 out, soon headed, kept on one paced straight, 6th of 19, 17l behind Johnny McGeeney (10-0) at Punchestown 2m ext hcp hdl gd.
Swing Bill (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, ran on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, nk behind Invisible Man (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Nikos Extra (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along 9th, blundered 12th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Watch My Back (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Invisible Man (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, led 2 out, all out, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf beating Swing Bill (11-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, behind 11th, switched right and stayed on after 2 out, no impression, 5th of 10, 11l behind Invisible Man (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Chased leader, hit 4th, blundered 10th, led 12th headed next, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Bedarra Boy (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Sunday City (JPN) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, hit next, held 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 40l behind Qulinton (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Intac (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place approaching 7th, soon behind, 6th of 9, well behind Qulinton (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Chicago Alley 13-2 (9-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, led after 3 out, soon clear, hit last, very easily, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Soulard (11-3) by 34l, 5 ran.
Shoreacres (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Fell 1st, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd, 17 ran.
