prominent, soon struggling, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 10th
led, blundered 15th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last weakened flat
held up, hit 1st, ridden 14th, soon no chance, pulled up after 16th, dismounted
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up last, good headway approaching 15th, challenged 4 out, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, easily
in touch, ridden from 4th, lost touch 14th, behind
mid-division, ridden and lost touch 15th, weakened next, took poor 3rd close home
mid-division, ridden 14th, weakened 16th
towards rear when fell 6th
Even More continues to win races even at the age of 13 but the Alner's gelding may struggle to follow up his recent course and distance success under his penalty and on the better ground today so preference is for Mister Apple's, who gets the vote ahead of Colorado Pearl. The last mentioned is trained by Paul Nicholls so has to be respected but he is hard to recommend on recent evidence and may be best watched off his current handicap mark. Venetia Williams has her string in fine form at present and Chery d'Or showed signs of returning to form at Bangor last time so he has to be considered. Dickensbury Lad has been well held in both starts back following a long absence and may be best left out of calculations, while the consistent Wizard of Edge has a bit to find with Even More on running last time. The vote then goes to the similarly consistent Mister Apple's, who stays well, has ground conditions to suit and he is taken to resume winning ways.
Even More (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, not fluent 13th, led after 4 out, drew clear from next, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr beating Oakfield Legend (11-12) by 16l, 9 ran.
Chery D'or (FR) 15-2 (11-7) In rear, pushed along halfway, headway approaching 14th and reminders, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Mistress Nell (10-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Dickensbury Lad (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway from 15th, left close 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Take The Stand (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr.
Alam (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Keen, towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 17 ran.
Colorado Pearl (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Chased leader, not fluent 11th, lost 2nd before blundering 12th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 44l behind Beesneez (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
All In The Stars (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led 3rd, ridden and headed after 16th, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Obaki de Grissay (10-11) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Mister Apple's (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 15th, headway after 17th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Amazing Valour (10-0) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Wizard of Edge 4-1jt-fav (9-13) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, dropped rear 6th, headway 15th, went 3rd 4 out, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Even More (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Indian Gunner 50-1 (11-0) Hampered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 17 ran.
