mid-division, weakened halfway, pulled up before 5 out
held up towards rear, under pressure 12th, soon no impression
tracked leaders, hampered 5 out, soon under pressure and weakened
led until 4th, remained prominent, hard ridden 2 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 3 out, hard ridden next, weakened approaching last
pulled hard in mid-division, fell 3rd
behind, hampered 3rd, under pressure halfway, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
prominent, led 4th, blundered 3 out, challenged when blundered again next, stayed on well
held up in touch when fell 6th
held up in rear, hampered and unseated rider 3rd
behind, headway 5 out, soon chasing winner, hard ridden to challenge next, stayed on same pace from 2 out
Terrible Tenant is bound to be popular with backers having not been out of the first three in his last six starts and the Seamus Mullins-trained gelding was good value for his win here last month but a 10lb rise for that success leaves him off a career high mark and preference is for NOW LISTEN TO ME, who gets the vote with Patton rated the best of the rest. The selection is trained by Paul Nicholls and remains a maiden but is open to improvement after just six starts and, having shown improved form on his reappearance at Worcester when chasing home Irish Legend, he looks to have solid claims of going one better today. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in good form so Its Crucial has to be respected, while it is to be hoped that Colin Tizzard's Eljay's Boy is none the worse for his fall here last month. Dream Falcon has run reasonably well for Ron Hodges of late and has place claims, while Henry Daly's Master Somerville is probably best watched on his return to action as most of the yard's runners have looked in need of their first start this term. Alan King's Patton disappointed over hurdles when last seen at Huntingdon in April but Alan King's runners are coming into form now and he has to be of interest on his chasing bow off what looks a fair mark but a better bet looks to be Now Listen To Me, who can open his account.
Stoway (FR) 8-1 (11-0) (tt) ap; one pce 3 out, 4th of 9, 8l behind The General Lee (11-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp gd in May.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) In rear, pushed along 6th, got into mid-division 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 14, 49l behind Love of Tara (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Its Crucial (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Pressed leader, led 7th to 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Kew Jumper (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Terrible Tenant 6-1 (10-1) Made all, left clear 16th, ridden 4 out, ran on flat, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May beating Dennis The Legend (9-13) by 8l, 10 ran.
Now Listen To Me 7-2fav (11-6) Raced keenly, went prominent 5th, led 14th, headed when mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Irish Legend (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Dream Falcon 18-1 (11-0) Jumped left, chased leader until mistake 8th, weakened after last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Winsley Hill (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Patton (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) In touch, went 3rd before 4th, pushed along 6th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Novarra (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 6 ran.
Master Somerville 15-2 (11-6) Keen early, led after 1st, headed 10th, remainnied prominent, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, jumped left last, one pace and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Ballyvaden (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
The Wedding Horse (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 7th, weakened 9th, 8th of 13, 28l behind Double Hit (10-7) at Bangor 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Eljay's Boy 7-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, disputing close 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Roussea (9-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct, 10 ran.
Sandymac (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Behind, pushed along 8th, headway into 5th before 3 out, jumped badly right and left poor 4th last, 4th of 8, 19l behind Shake The Barley (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.