raced keenly, held up, niggled along when not fluent 7th, no impression
led to 7th, still 2nd 3 out, soon weakened
held up in last, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led between last 2, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden 7th, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led next, ridden approaching 2 out, headed between last 2, stayed on
with leader until jumped slowly 6th, hung left, weakened after next
held up towards rear, progress when not fluent 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon 2nd, ridden, hung right from 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Lord Of Illusion can take advantage of this hurdles mark of 108 and can win at the main expense of Bob Mountain and Granite Man. Tom George's ten-year-old isn't getting any better but after a frustrating year over fences, this return to hurdles may spark some enthusiasm. Whilst three miles on good ground suits best, they may go a decent lick here and that will play to his strengths. Jaharsh has jumping frailties so cannot be recommended, whilst Sabre Hongrois showed a tendency to jump left when winning last month and that won't help around here. Granite Man found his revised mark beyond him last time out after a quickfire hat-trick. Bob Mountain looks a danger as this is his optimum trip and ground, however a 7lb rise in the weights will make life tougher. A trappy affair in which Lord Of Illusion gets the nomination.
Granite Man (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden and mistake 7th, no impression, 5th of 6, 12l behind Present Oriented (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 10th (Becher's), no danger after, 15th of 29, well behind Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Bob Mountain (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, led flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Golden Feather (10-10) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Jahash 11-1 (11-2) Held-up, ridden 7th, held when saddle slipped and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Garston Star (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Sabre Hongrois (FR) 9-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led and jumped left 3rd, headed 6th, led approaching last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Kempley Green (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shingle Street (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Prominent, led briefly 5th, soon driven, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Cold Mountain (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Golden Feather 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and left in lead 3 out, joined last, headed flat and no extra, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Bob Mountain (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Go Johnny (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, reminder 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 36l behind Le Briar Soul (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Apr.
