chased leaders, slow 4th, pushed along before not fluent 4 out, mistake and held 2 out, no impression and not fluent last
jumped and hung right, led until after 9th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, switched right after 2 out, went 2nd just after last, no impression on winner, stayed on
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear flat, stayed on well
chased leader, led after 9th, jumped right and not fluent 3 out, headed next, lost 2nd just after last, one pace
held up towards rear, not always fluent, mistake 4th and 9th, outpaced 3 out, went 4th last, never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, lost place next, headway 8th, jumped right 3 out, soon beaten
A competitive start to proceedings even though less than half the field have previous experience over fences. Minella Mojo was only 1-15 over hurdles and 1-13 in points but trip and ground look ideal. Black Buble was only beaten two lengths by DOG OF WAR and is 5lb better off but Dan Skelton’s charge looks the more progressive and can confirm the form and complete his hat-trick. Bumper winner Presentandcounting didn’t manage to win a hurdle but has been successful between the flags while Beyond The Pale has been very consistent over timber and his yard are in great form. The latter pair make more appeal than Smith’s Bay and the returning Cremant.
Beyond The Pale (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led until mistake 3 out, 3rd and not pace of leading pair from next, kept on, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Aquila Sky (11-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Smith's Bay 12-1 (11-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Bootlegger (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Dog Of War (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Held up, travelled strongly, not fluent 7th, effort from 3 out, switched right before last, led flat, stayed on, ridden out, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Armattiekan (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Presentandcounting (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd and mistake last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Hello Judge (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f (4) gd in Apr.
Black Buble (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Jumped right, led until before 2 out, every chance when blundered last, held in 3rd after, kept on, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Dog Of War (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Cremant (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-9) Midfield, headway travelling strongly 9th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Celtic Flames (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Minella Mojo (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 2nd, headed after 3rd, led 5th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 27 1/4l behind Gallow Ford (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
