started slowly, behind, hampered 10th, never dangerous
not always fluent, mid-division, mistake 1st, headway when slow 11th, beaten from 4 out, 7th when badly hampered and fell 2 out
not always fluent, chased leaders, ridden after 11th, outpaced before 4 out, bumped 3 out, stayed on into 3rd before last, no impression
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, clear next, easily
held up in rear on outside, not fluent 1st, not much room 5th, some headway after 7th, well beaten from 11th
always behind, hampered when tailed off 10th, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 4 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on, never on terms
prominent, every chance when mistake 4 out, weakening when baulked 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
led, not fluent 5th, headed 9th, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out
in touch until 5th, ridden 9th, slow 11th, well behind after
mid-division, mistake 9th, weakened before 4 out
jumped right at times, took keen hold towards rear, headway 9th, losing place when mistake 11th, soon well behind
pressed leader, led 9th, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner next
in rear, mistake 8th, no impression, blundered 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 10th
Beginners’ chases don’t normally attract this many runners and this could prove an informative contest. Crucial Role, Now McGinty and Huntsman Son have already placed over fences and are preferred in that order. Any Drama has a long absence to overcome but is from a yard that can get one ready at home and he was a smart novice hurdler the season before last. Lovenormoney has won between the flags and over hurdles and looks a real chasing type with a similar comment attached to Golden Sunrise. The same could be said of Kilfilum Cross but he’s changed stables since his two victories in the spring on soft going. It must be significant that Barry Geraghty prefers recent hurdles winner Midnight Maestro to River Frost and Just Don't Ask and Forza Milan are worth a market check. CHEF DES OBEAUX looked a really smart prospect after winning a Grade 2 over timber at Haydock in February but he was then pulled up at Cheltenham and Aintree. He has a good record first-time out, however, and still has time on his side.
Alminar (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Went left 1st, always towards rear, tailed off 4 out,, 9th of 12, dist behind The Cannister Man (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) hvy in Apr.
Any Drama (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, behind, when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Chef Des Obeaux (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Crucial Role 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistakes, stayed on into modest 3rd, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 33l behind Activial (11-1) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) gd in Nov.
Forza Milan (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Always towards rear, struggling 8th, lost touch 4 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Golden Sunrise (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, pushed along next, went 2nd on last bend, led 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, held flat, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Vodka All The Way (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Apr.
Groundunderrepair (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Raced wide, pushed along at times, chased leaders, went 2nd at 10th, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Apr beating Game On (11-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Huntsman Son (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, 1 length down when hit 2 out, ridden and unable to quicken between last 2, no chance with winner in clear 2nd from last, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Kalashnikov (11-1) at Warwick 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Just Don't Ask (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Made all, edged left after 2 out, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) hvy in Mar beating Whiskey In The Jar (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Made all and mostly clear until ridden and joined when went left last, stayed on to assert final 100 yards, won at Kempton 3m 1f (4) sft in Apr beating Criq Rock (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Lovenormoney (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place when ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 16th of 23, 19 1/2l behind Delta Work (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Midnight Maestro 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, led approaching last, headed narrowly towards finish, carried left, led close home, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May beating Wynford (11-6) by hd, 13 ran.
Mistercobar (FR) Evensfav (12-0) (h) led til hdd last; r.o, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Well Mett (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m in Apr.
Now Mcginty (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) With leader when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Huntingdon 3m (3) gs in Dec.
Piri Massini (IRE) 4-7fav (11-7) Close up in 3rd, tracked winner 5th, shaken up to challenge on long run to 2 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths down last, edged left flat, kept on same pace, always held, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Behindthelines (11-1) at Newcastle 3m (4) hvy in Apr.
River Frost 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, shaken up 4 out, never threatened, well beaten 2 out, 9th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Garo De Juilley (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
