tracked leader, led 9th, ridden 14th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened
in touch, keen, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, not quicken
held up, keen, mistake 8th, weakened 12th pulled up before 14th
held up and ran in snatches, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, led approaching 3 out, soon clear
led, headed 9th, weakened 12th
prominent, pulled up after 6th
held up, headway 12th, plugged on to take 3rd after last
Foly Pleasant is capable on his day but does not win very often so may be best watched with preference for Knife Edge, who gets the vote ahead of Tinarana Lord. The selection is still capable of decent form at the age of 12 and while not at his best in the Foxhunter Chase at the festival this is a lot weaker. A subsequent fair fourth at Bangor, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has more suitable ground conditions today and is taken to resume winning ways. Paddy For Paddy was useful at his best but is not as good as he once was and looks booked for a place at best, while Ivanoph is hard to recommend on recent evidence. Tinarana Lord was good value for his win at Bangor last time and has to be respected on ground that suits but Knife Edge has solid claims and he is preferred.
Foly Pleasant (FR) 11-2 (12-2) In touch until weakened quickly after 3 out, 8th of 10, 32l behind Red Brook Lad (12-4) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Tinarana Lord (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 13th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar beating No Retreat (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Ivanoph (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, led 4 out, ridden and headed next, weakened, 4th of 10, 18l behind Royal Hector (12-4) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gf.
Knife Edge (USA) 2-1jt-fav (12-7) Held up, ridden after 11th, headway approaching 13th, lost place 4 out, rallied after 3 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Red Brook Lad (12-4) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Lifes A Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led to 8th, soon last place, behind from 4 out, last of 7, 24l behind Imps Way (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Paddy For Paddy (IRE) 7-2fav (12-1) Always prominent, ridden after 14th, chased winner approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Family Business (11-12) at Chepstow 3m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
History Master (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) In tch to 12; wl bhnd when pulled up in race won by Professor Hegarty (12-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in Apr, 12 ran.