in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, shaken up, held on well
chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, led before 3 out, mistake next, headed approaching last, no extra
led until 1st, tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out
led 1st, headed before 3 out, soon rallied and every chance, stayed on gamely under pressure closing stages, never reached winner
NonRunner
AARON LAD had looked progressive prior to finding a step up in class too much at Haydock in March. That run came at the end of a long season and Richard Newland’s top weight gets another chance to shine. David John stays well and has fitness on his side but he’s moved stables since his third here last month. Dr Robin is proving hard to catch right and hasn’t won over hurdles in more than three years and Notwhatiam is with his fourth trainer in 12 months, though has had wind surgery since last seen.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In rear, 11th at 8th, effort straight, soon one pace, 12th of 15, 27 1/2l behind Benkei (11-5) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp gd in May.
Monbeg Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent and pushed along 7th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Knight Of Noir (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Vinegar Hill 14-1 (11-5) Raced widest, chased leaders, weakened before 8th, 5th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Crucial Role (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
David John 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leader until 5th, ridden 3 out, no impression on winner from next, kept on, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Mr Caffrey (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Dr Robin (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased winner, hit 6th, awkward and lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Da Baba Elephant (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Aaron Lad (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before next, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
