mid-division, headway 5th, left 2nd 6th, chased leader 4 out, led approaching 3 out, jumped left final 3, pushed out from last, readily
led 1st to 2nd, chased leader until left in clear lead 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened last
prominent, ridden 9th, one pace
behind, headway 7th, chased leader 4 out, ran on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
always towards rear, not jump well, no impression
mid-division, ridden and lost place 8th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden 9th, stayed on one pace from 2 out
Nesnaas was good value for his win over course and distance last month and Mark Rimell's gelding should be able to defy the penalty for that success under similar conditions and he gets the vote to follow up, getting the verdict ahead of West Ridge and Musical Gift. The last mentioned unseated his rider early on in the race won by Et Maintenant at Exeter on Tuesday and has to be considered on the pick of his form. Ilewin Tom is less exposed than most of these after just five starts but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge and of more interest may be recent Towcester winner Jose Bove, although he faces no easy task under his penalty today. Brendan Powell has his string in good form so chasing newcomer West Ridge has to be respected but preference is for Nesnaas who is taken to win again.
Nesnaas (USA) 10-3 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd after 9th, led and jumped left from 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs (4) gd in Apr beating Oldrik (11-12) by 23l, 6 ran.
Kirbys Glen (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 7th, not fluent and headed next, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 49l behind Chaninbar (10-12) at Taunton 2m nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
West Ridge 33-1 (11-0) Keen, prominent until after 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Inghwung (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Jose Bove 20-1 (10-9) Jumped right, led, mistake 4th, headed 6th, led again 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr beating Just Standeese (10-9) by 8l, 7 ran.
Musical Gift 13-2 (9-12) Held up, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Et Maintenant (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Freedom Frix 11-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pecked badly 2nd, reminders after 6th, effort after 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, well behind Count Kristo (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Ilewin Tom 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leader from 2nd, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, well behind Harry Tricker (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
A Sea Commander (GER) 6-1 (9-11) Chased clear leader, left in narrow lead 7th, mistake next, headed 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off when refused 2 out in race won by Inn For The Dancer (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
