tracked winner, not fluent 7th, ridden before 4 out, no impression from 2 out, lost 2nd last
tracked leaders, shaken up 4 out, disputing 2nd when not fluent 3 out, no impression on winner from next, definite 2nd last
made all, mistake 5th, clear 2 out, easily
Nonrunner
All of these have won over hurdles and three of the four are young enough to have a future over fences. Hargam had the highest hurdle rating, having finished third in the Triumph Hurdle in 2015. But he’s not the biggest whereas SPACE ODDITY and Cracking Find look sure to be suited by a switch to chasing. Harry Fry’s keen-going sort may enjoy dropping back to 2m so gets the nod ahead of Sue Smith’s runner, who will need further. Paddocks Lounge is likely to struggle in this company.
Cracking Find (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Led 1st to before 3rd, tracked leader, led again before 6th, ridden before 2 out, soon hard pressed, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Pickamix (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Hargam (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 19th of 25, 36 1/4l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Space Oddity (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Led, jumped well, hard ridden before 2 out, challenged after last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Black Corton (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Jumped right, led until after 3rd, led 5th, mistake last, headed flat, soon edged left, stayed on same pace, held onto 3rd, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Gambol (11-1) at Exeter 2m 3f (5) gd in Apr.
