in touch, ridden and lost place 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders from 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
ridden approaching 4 out, lost place next, soon one pace
led to 3rd, driven to lead 14th, headed 5 out, weakened next (wore cheek pieces)
in touch, headway 13th, challenged and every chance 3 out, stayed on, no chance with winner flat
in rear, behind from 6th, headway 12th, ridden and one pace from 5 out
led 3rd to14th, ridden to lead again 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakening in 4th when blundered badly and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, hampered 1st, in touch when fell 15th
held up, hampered 1st, mistake 5th, good headway 4 out, challenged and led 2 out, driven clear flat
held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway and challenging when mistake 4 out, led 3 out, headed next, no extra when mistake last
ridden 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
ridden 14th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
The weights here are headed by one of those who is warming up for the Hennessy at Newbury, Jonjo O'Neill's Carbury Cross, who was highly progressive last term in staying handicap chases including when romping home in the Martell V.S. Handicap Chase at Aintree in April. He will be looking to go one better than his second in this race last year but if he is to do so then he will have to get the better of last year's winner, the Paul Nicholls-trained Montifault, who is sure to be popular after two wins from two visits to this track. The latter suffered a minor injury at Sandown in April which has kept him off the track but with his stable in great form at the moment, he is likely to be fully wound up for this reappearance. The Philip Hobbs-trained Ross Minster has been well touted for this race and was impressive when last seen winning the Letheby & Christopher Handicap Chase at Chepstow in April. A stable in great form at present is that of Henrietta Knight and she sends Maximize who was very progressive in novice chases last season while also stepping up from that sphere is the Venetia Williams-trained Itsonlyme. All in all, a cracking renewal, with the TEAMtalk vote going the way of Montifault.