chased leaders, jumped slowly throughout, under pressure 5 out, rallied 3 out, kept on to go modest 3rd closing stages, never a threat
in lead when mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leader 12th, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased winner next, stayed on same pace
left in lead 1st, jumped well, driven 2 out, stayed on well
prominent, jumped slowly throughout, weakened before 4 out
GENERAL GIRLING bids for a hat-trick having completed a double when scoring at Towcester recently. He beat previous winner and today’s rival Shanann Star by six lengths at Wincanton earlier and is taken to confirm running despite the latter re-opposing on better terms. How's Vienna posted a much better effort on only his second start over fences when placed at Exeter and looks the main threat to the two main challengers given the remainder are all struggling badly at present.
Shanann Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 15th, left 2nd briefly when hampered 4 out, 2nd again before 3 out, about 4 lengths down when hit last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind General Girling (10-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Cucklington 7-2 (11-12) Soon ridden along in last, mistake 8th, closed 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 9, 35 1/2l behind Slidecheck (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
General Girling 9-2jfav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, led 12th, ridden before 2 out, kept on, won at Towcester 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Gibbstown (11-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
How's My Friend 9-1 (11-2) Towards rear, weakened from 12th, 5th of 9, 35 1/4l behind Rocknrollrambo (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
How's Vienna (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 8th, some headway when 13th, no impression on front pair before 4 out, went 3rd and stayed on from 2 out, unable to challenge, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Zerachiel (12-2) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Minmore Grey (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Prominent early, mid-division when came into view 10th, lost place when field came back into view 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Sonoftheking (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
