jumped left and behind, struggling 5th
mid-division, took keen hold, lost place 3 out, well beaten next
chased leaders, took keen hold, challenged after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, not much room, switched right and held flat
prominent, ridden and unable to go with leaders from 3 out, plugged on
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, shaken up before 3 out, no impression
took keen hold, prominent, led 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten last
held up towards rear, hanging left 3 out, 6th 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened well before 3 out
chased leaders, effort 3 out, no extra next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched right before leading 2 out, edged left last, stayed on
led, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon weakened
Some promising types face the starter in this with several having already shown useful form over hurdles. Smuggler's Blues is one and looks the type to improve further this season. Monsieur Lecoq led until the last at Fontwell in February but Kitikat’s second at Worcester last month looks stronger form and Jonjo O’Neill’s charge is also preferred to Neachells Bridge. Dostal Phil started odds-on at Bangor a year ago but only managed fourth. He’s had wind surgery since and should be a different proposition this season while Harry Skelton prefers Market Rasen bumper winner Tokay Dokey to DIOMEDE DES MOTTES. However, that doesn’t mean the winning pointer should be written off as he has a nice pedigree for jumping and could go close if handling the drop in trip. Twotwothree should also have a future.
Coulborn Hood (IRE) Sans Frontieres gelding out of Shy Sheila.
Court In Matera (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6f out, struggling over 4f out, 11th of 14, dist behind Rob The Getaway (11-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) gd in May.
Diomede Des Mottes (FR) 5-1 (12-2) Alw pr, ld 5out & adv 3out, jmpd well, 1l adv last, kow when chall'd run-in, all out, won at Loughanmore 3m mdn gs in May beating Hi Murphy (12-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dostal Phil (FR) 4-5fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, closed 5th, niggled along after 4 out, ridden on outside when mistake 2 out, no impression, took 4th flat, 4th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Whatmore (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Eur Gone West (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 16, dist behind Time To Move On (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
Hard To Forget (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Pr, 10l 3rd 1/2way, mstk 5out & brfly rdn, nt qckn aftr 4out, mstk 3out in poor 3rd, no dngr from bef 2out, 3rd of 6, 25 1/4l behind Spud's Trouble (11-11) at Taylorstown 3m gs in Apr.
Kitikat (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Sofia's Rock (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Monsieur Lecoq (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Kept wide, pressed leader, led narrowly 2nd until after 3 out, pressed leader and every chance next, lost 2nd at the last, no extra and hung badly left run-in, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Night Of Glory (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) hvy in Feb.
Neachells Bridge (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, modest 4th next, left 3rd last, no chance with winner although pressed for 2nd briefly, 3rd of 7, 22 3/4l behind Ballymoy (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Sandy Boy (IRE) Tajraasi gelding out of Annienoora.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders on outside, went 3rd at the last, plugged on, no chance with winner, 3rd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Diamond Guy (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Apr.
Tokay Dokey (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in May beating Encore Champs (10-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Twotwothree (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, effort over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Norman Stanley (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr.
Arcade Attraction (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Tobetall.
