jumped well, led until 11th, led again 4 out, clear 2 out, ran on well, easily
mistakes, always in rear, tailed off from 16th
chased winner from 3rd, led 11th until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, blundered last
chased leaders until 13th, soon weakened
chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, outpaced approaching 12th, stayed on approaching 4 out, hard ridden into 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner
held up, headway to chase leading pair to 10th, ridden over 4 out, kept on same pace
Latimer's Place gets the vote here ahead of Scots Grey and Cameron Bridge. Latimer's Place caught the eye when third over course and distance last time and, a decent hurdler in his time, is very much one to consider in this chase. From an in-form yard, based on his Mildmay Of Flete fifth in March, Scots Grey still retains plenty of ability and is respected. Biliverdin looked a useful prospect when racking up three straight wins when last seen in March/April 2004. If he is in that sort of form, he would hold solid claims and his stable's horses are running well, although that absence has to be a concern. Also, he is a stablemate of the selection. Cameron Bridge is a course and distance winner who is weighted to win again and he will appreciate the drop to this trip from three miles last time, but Spring Lover is 10 pounds higher than for his March Fakenham win, although he was only just denied at Ludlow from a pound lower mark in the same month. Finally, the Paul Nicholls-trained Atum Re would certainly be of interest if back to the level of form he showed at novice level in the spring of 2004. However, we are happy enough to side with Latimer's Place.
Scots Grey 9-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to track leaders 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind River Alder (9-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in May.
Biliverdin (IRE) 13-8fav (10-2) Tracked leader, led after 6th, mistakes 9th and 12th, ridden when blundered last, driven flat, just held on, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs (B) gs in Apr '04 beating Jahash (10-4) by a nk, 4 ran.
Cameron Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 7l behind Run For Paddy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Spring Lover (FR) 9-2fav (11-1) Led, hit 6th, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Gatorade (10-5) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Apr.
Atum Re (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Schapiro (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Jun.
Latimer's Place 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, good headway 12th, led 13th, hampered on bend after 13th, headed 3 out, one pace after, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Black De Bessy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
