took keen hold early, chased leaders until lost place before 3rd, last pair 3 out, headway from 2 out, stayed on steadily
always in rear, pushed along 4th, ridden and struggling 3 out
led, headed briefly after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, weakened soon after 2 out
held up towards rear, stayed on steadily from 3 out, but never in contention
chased leader until after 2nd, lost place 5th, struggling soon after
took keen hold, always in rear, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, not much room and hampered well before 2 out, soon recovered , led approaching last, stayed on well
took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway and pecked 5th, soon chased leader, every chance 2 out, one pace last
close up, chased leading trio after 3 out, led 3 out, ridden soon after, headed approaching last, not quicken flat
took keen hold, chased leading trio, went 2nd after 2nd, led on inside soon after 3 out, headed well before next, weakened rapidly, eased, tailed off
The Reformer has obvious claims for a top yard after a promising bumper debut last year but with a run already this season SWEET IRONY is just preferred. Alan King has saddled plenty of winners and he sends out the selection on the back of progressive runs in bumper company including a narrow miss last time. Skint was a nice winner in a bumper on his only start and will have claims but Nicky Henderson's string have, in the main, needed their first run of the season.
Just Dave (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, soon chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 12l behind Bear's Affair (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Le Roi Max (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 2nd, jumped left 3rd, headed and mistake 4th, weakened after next, 9th of 10, well behind Dare Me (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Medicine Man (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always in rear, lost touch final 3f, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov '09.
Rayon Vert (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden, one pace and no impression on leading pair when pecked badly last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 6l behind Superius (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Red Law (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Present To You (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Sablazo (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Paint The Clouds (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Skint Evensfav (10-9) Prominent, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) sft in Mar beating Alpine Breeze (10-4) by 2l, 15 ran.
Sweet Irony (FR) 10-3fav (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway on bit when switched left over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 14, shd behind Kasbadali (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
The Reformer (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In touch, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, pressed winner and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 15, nk behind Fontano (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Sun Des Mottes (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside 6th, mistake and weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind L'accordioniste (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m Mares Maiden Hurdle (3yo+) (5) hvy in Oct.
