raced on inside, tracked leader, led 8th until 4 out, dropped to 3rd soon after, stayed on same pace from 3 out, weakened from 2 out, lost 2 places towards finish
close up early, dropped to rear when not fluent 3rd, hung left and jumped left from 9th, no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 8th, chased winner from 4 out, ridden and held before 2 out
raced keenly, led, headed and dropped to 3rd at 8th, still disputing close 3rd when blundered badly 3 out, not recover
in touch, pushed along after 5th, not fluent next, outpaced 7th, struggling in last pair after, rallied from 2 out, stayed on well flat, almost snatched 3rd
chased leaders, badly outpaced 9th, rallied from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
took keen hold, held up behind leaders, headway 7th, went 2nd next, led 4 out, going much the best before 2 out, soon drew clear, easily
Nonrunner
Home did the job nicely on his chasing debut at Fontwell but these stiffer fences will be a more searching test of his credentials, especially as the free-running Gunship will ensure this is run at a good gallop. Azulada Bay was no match for the well-handicapped Sky Calling at Worcester earlier this month and looks a shade high in the weights now while former pointer Farmer Frank has found life tough in handicaps recently. HIGH JACK is 12lb higher than when successful in this 12 months ago but loves fast ground and is back over his best trip today - he may be the one to beat again.
High Jack (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, remained close up until pushed along before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Royal Wedding (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Volcanic Rock (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up behind, reminders and headway approaching 15th, went 4th approaching next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 32l behind Incentivise (11-6) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Farmer Frank 15-2 (11-9) Held up behind, headway and in touch 4 out, chased leading pair under pressure next, soon ridden and no impression, lost moderate 3rd last, 4th of 7, 33l behind Checkerboard (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Ban Uisce (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Took keen hold in last, went 4th 8th, hit 14th, went 3rd 4 out, well held by front pair, demoted to 4th 2 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Estates Recovery (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Approved Force (USA) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, lost place 8th, struggling when mistake 10th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Pyracantha (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Not fluent, pressed leader until 2nd, chased leaders, reminders after next, closed after 8th, well held from 3 out, went 4th last, 4th of 8, 19l behind Sky Calling (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Home 13-8fav (11-7) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led after 4 out, in command when hit 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr beating Kilvergan Boy (11-4) by 9l, 5 ran.
Gunship (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Led, headed before 6th, led again after 4 out, hit next, edged left and bumped before and jumped left 2 out, soon headed, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Home She Goes (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
