mid-division, ridden 12th, well beaten 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, some headway and 7th 3 out, no impression
mid-division, not fluent, closed 3rd, hampered 6th, mistake 12th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, close up 10th, ridden before 12th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 14th, ridden from 3 out, no extra flat
prominent, led 3rd, headed 7th, led 10th, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
not fluent, held up, headway 3rd, struggling 13th
led, not fluent 1st, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 12th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, jumped right 4th, mistake next, headway 6th, struggling 14th
held up, headway from 13th, led and jumped right 2 out, jumped right last, clear flat, stayed on well
held up in mid-division, closed 7th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 2 out
prominent, led 7th until 10th, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
in rear, ridden 12th, 9th 3 out, never in contention
in touch early, struggling 9th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, bumped 5th, ridden 7th, well beaten 14th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, effort 4 out, 8th 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden after 14th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
This Listed chase has grown in stature in recent years and has attracted another good entry. Bear's Affair was third last year and is only 4lb higher. He beat Samingarry at Aintree last month but only by a head and there shouldn't be much between the pair again. SILVER MAN has made giant strides since returning from a winter break. He beat Sedgemoor Express very easily at Aintree earlier this month and can complete the hat-trick, though David Pipe holds a strong hand with Cheltenham Festival winner The Package and the prolific Ainsi Fideles in the line-up. Thomas Wild should confirm Stratford running with Universal Soldier but this is a big step up for the in-form Sail And Return and Speed Master has been hurdling. Shuil Royale could only finish fourth off his new mark at Kempton and has his stamina to prove over this trip.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) In touch in mid-division, headway 11th, challenged before last, stayed in to lead towards finish, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in May beating Samingarry (11-7) by hd, 10 ran.
The Package 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on inside, weakened 21st, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Just A Par (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 20 ran.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Prominent, went 2nd from 3rd until 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Big Casino (10-0) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gs in May.
Samingarry (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed 14th, led next, headed towards finish, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Bear's Affair (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Prominent, went 2nd 13th until after 3 out, hampered just before next, weakened last, 4th of 13, 19l behind Moroman (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Silver Man 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, jumped left 3rd, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Sedgemoor Express (11-3) by 16l, 10 ran.
Benbane Head (USA) 15-2 (11-1) Led after 2nd, headed 9th, with leader, led again narrowly 11th to 15th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lamb Or Cod (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Midnight Appeal 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 31l behind Binge Drinker (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Sedgemoor Express (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hampered 2nd, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Silver Man (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Behind, pushed along before 5 out and outpaced, plugged on from 3 out, 4th of 10, 16l behind Champion Court (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Adrenalin Flight (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, led next, clear before the last, driven out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May beating Ballybough Gorta (10-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
Speed Master (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 9th, ridden and headed before last, led again at hurdle, stayed on well, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May beating Weather Babe (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Thomas Wild 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led 12th, headed 4 out, ridden to regain lead last, kept on gamely, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Alberobello (11-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Universal Soldier (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Led to 9th pushed along before 4 out, went 3rd after last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Thomas Wild (11-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 15-2 (9-10) Held up, mistakes 11th and 13th, hampered and awkward 15th, soon weakened, blundered 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bear's Affair (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in May, 10 ran.
Sail And Return 6-1 (11-6) Prominent, pushed along 4 out, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead close home, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Balinroab (11-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Harangue (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Soon tracked leaders, 5th after 5th, improved to get on terms from 2 out, just led final fence, asserted from before straight, stayed on well, easily,, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gf beating Galboystown Lady (9-10) by 7l, 12 ran.
Best Boy Barney (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Led, headed 7 out, every chance before 2 out and not fluent, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Champion Court (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
