led, pitched on landing 3rd, headed 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up after 3 out
in rear, slow 1st, closed before 11th, went 4th before 13th, soon weakened
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 11th, not fluent 13th, headed before 3 out, stayed on same pace before next
chased leaders, close up 4 out, stayed on same pace after next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led before 3 out, clear next, easily
Kilfinichen Bay enjoyed a saunter round when scoring on his chasing debut but now has to concede weight to some interesting chasing recruits. Theinval was a talented hurdler at his best but has not been so effective since landing a major Aintree pot over a year ago and it will be interesting to see if his interest is revived by the switch to the larger obstacles. Paul Nicholls wastes little time in sending decent novice hurdler Rock On Oscar over a fence and he is highly respected as this is clearly expected to be his game. However, VIRGILIO is another who has always looked bound for fences and if he can repeat the best of his form over timber then he could well be the one on a track where his thriving yard do well.
Kilfinichen Bay (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Jumped best, made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Apr beating Rothman (10-6) by dist, 3 ran.
Relkwood (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led 1st, soon headed, stayed in touch, not fluent 8th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 35 1/2l behind Ceporine (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) gd in May.
Rock On Oscar (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, close 3rd last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
Theinval (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, well held when hampered last, weakened flat, 9th of 22, 29 1/4l behind Party Rock (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Virgilio (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure from last, just failed for 4th, not reach leaders, 5th of 22, 11 1/4l behind Party Rock (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.