held up, went 3rd from 5th, closed 4 out, no impression 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders until before 3rd, behind from 7th
made all, jumped right at times, clear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, easily
tracked winner, ridden after 4 out, no impression from next, eased flat
tracked leaders, not fluent and struggling 6th, behind next
MAKARI had a higher rating over hurdles than both Don't Be Late and Seventh Sky. He won at Huntingdon, Ludlow and Doncaster last season and will have been well schooled so can make a winning start over the larger obstacles. Don't Be Late may need this while Seventh Sky wasn't a fluent jumper over timber. The other pair are unlikely to figure unless the principals come to grief.
Don't Be Late (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, driven between last 2, hung left and weakened between last 2, 6th of 11, 15l behind Mister Dillon (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Mac's Grey (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Took keen hold and held up in rear, pluggging on in 5th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by The Informant (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Makari 33-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 17th of 28, 26l behind Lac Fontana (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Seventh Sky (GER) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Gifted Leader (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Steady Progress (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, under pressure 3 outnever on terms, 5th of 12, 35l behind Cape York (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
