in touch, mistake 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden when mistake 3 out, headway 2 out, every chance last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden and outpaced 12th, staying on and 3 lengths down approaching last, led line
prominent, led briefly 6th, reminders 8th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out
always in rear, lost touch 10th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, hit 7th, ridden to chase leaders 14th, weakened 2 out
led, headed briefly 6th, ridden 3 out, headed last and weakened
in rear, ridden 9th, short lived effort 13th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 11th, led last, headed line
towards rear, lost touch from 10th
Vinnie Boy is the pick ahead of Iron Express and Twenty Degrees. A winner of this race last year, Vinnie Boy ran well at the Hunter's meeting at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and if he has shown no ill effects, he must be capable of giving a fine defence. Iron Express was difficult to place under rules but has been revitalised by a switch to points. A marathon race at Perth proved a little too far but he ran well for a long way and can give supporters a good run for their money. Twenty Degrees was a competent enough chaser under rules and would be assisted by more rain. Arnold Layne stays forever while Minsgill Mans has won more than his fair share between the flags. Saorsie appears best of the rest. Vinnie Boy has a fair shout of landing the race again and we side with him on this occasion.
Iron Express 8-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, soon in touch, led 14th, 17th, effort 4 out, 20 lengths down and one pace when mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Waking Ned (12-0) at Perth 3m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Apr.
Twenty Degrees 2-1fav (12-5) Ww; eff aft 3 out; led last; drvn out, won at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Lough Ennel (12-5) by a nk, 12 ran.
Vinnie Boy (IRE) 11-4 (12-1) Chased leaders, mistakes, lost several places, progress 15th, jumped slowly 4 out, slightly outpaced after 3 out, staying on when jumped left last, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Cannon Bridge (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd.
Persian Hero (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, went 2nd after 3 out, took narrow lead when fell last fell at the last in race won by Castlemore (11-5) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 8-13fav (12-4) Trckd ldrs; 2nd when blun 16; sn outpcd; lft in ld last; hdd cl home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Unleash (12-7) at Garthorpe 3m 4f ptp gd in Apr.
Minsgill Mans 4-7fav (12-0) Sn prom; led 13; drvn out, won at Cold Harbour 4m ptp frm beating Shuil Monty (12-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Saorsie 3-1 (12-0) Set modest pce; hdd 3 out; lft clr last, won at Cothelstone 3m ptp frm in Apr beating Knight Of Silver (12-0) by 12l, 3 ran.
Southwestern (IRE) 4-7fav (12-7) Held up; jnd ldrs 14; led 4 out; sn clr, won at Littlewindsor 3m ptp gf in Apr beating Mister Swallow (12-0) by 8l, 4 ran.
