prominent, lost place 3rd, driven 6th, well behind when pulled up after 4 out
prominent, raced keenly, pushed along before 6th, weakening when hampered after next, pulled up before 3 out
soon mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened and pulled up after next
jumped right and not that fluent, chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, well held by winner form 3 out
towards rear, hampered after 7th, well beaten before 3 out
in touch in mid-division, closed 4th, led after 7th, clear when not fluent 3 out, stayed on
led until after 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, closed after 5th, 5th when slipped up bend after 7th and fell
held up in mid-division on outside, not fluent 6th, well held before 3 out
in rear, ridden after 4th, headway after 4 out, 3rd and well held before 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
A really tight handicap with 3lb separating the entire field and understandably a number are given a respectable chance. Jack Hogan has partnered Horn Cape to success the last twice, the gelding having gone really well since joining Ben Haslam from Nicky Henderson. Another competitive run is expected but this does look a tougher ask. Samtara continues to run over a variety of trips and is a possible, whilst Barrier Peaks, a four-time winner last season, may be in the grip of the handicapper despite continuing to deliver a solid account. Sambezi and the improved Almost Gotaway are others who could well get involved, but BOOM BOOM is arguably open to greater improvement than most after landing an easy maiden hurdle success and is also expected to appreciate this step-up in trip.
The Street (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Close up, disputed 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, soon ridden, gradually weakened, 8th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Buckhorn Rocco (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Samtara 25-1 (10-7) Led after 1st, headed before last, carried left and every chance flat, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Black Poppy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Barrier Peaks (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, hung right and weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Ramo (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Cluain Aodha (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slow 2nd, headway on outside before 7th, outpaced in 5th and well held before 2 out, went modest 4th flat, 4th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Oscars Moonshine (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Highlander Casseul (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Twrds rr, 7th 1/2way, 6th 3out, rdn in 4th bef 2out, sn no impression & ko into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 12 3/4l behind Dare To Shout (11-11) at Knockmullen House 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Sambezi (FR) 85-40 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th until 3 out, went 2nd again after 3 out until before next, soon outpaced, went 3rd after 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Universal Secret (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Boom Boom (IRE) 1-2fav (11-6) Chased leader, led 3rd, jumped right last, shaken up flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Apr beating Dunstall Rambler (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 17 1/2l behind Afadil (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Floating Rock (GER) 66-1 (11-6) Off the pace in last trio, never on terms, 9th of 13, 19l behind King Alexander (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Almost Gotaway (IRE) 11-8fav (12-2) Led 1st, headed approaching 4th, led before 6th, joined 2 out, mistake last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Feb beating Fame And Fun (11-13) by nk, 14 ran.
Horn Cape (FR) 9-4 (11-9) Handy, ridden to challenge last when blundered and collided with leader, ran on well flat, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Miss Lamb (11-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
Way Out (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Close up, led 3rd, joined 4 out, ridden when headed before 2 out, kept on for modest fifth, 5th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Buckhorn Rocco (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
