led and hit 1st, blundered 5th, virtually refused and headed approaching 9th, soon dropped rear
tracked leaders and keen, blundered 10th, weakened next
held up, hampered 5th, ridden to chase leading trio 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 5th, ridden 7th, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden 9th, losing place, mistake 11th, pulled up soon after
in touch, mistake 9th, with leading pair when hit 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out
held up and always handy, chased leader from 9th, ridden to lead 3 out, clear approaching last, idled close home, just held on
tracked leader, led 9th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, 2nd approaching last, ran on strongly close home and just denied
held up, reminders 8th and mistake, weakened 10th
Lik Wood Power is selected in preference to Grey Report and Killultagh Storm. Richard Guest's charge was certainly full of beans on his return from absence at Southwell and it was perhaps that sense of urgency that undermined his chance as he fell at the ninth fence. That said, he has generally jumped well in the past and with form on the prevailing surface, he can bounce back to winning ways. Grey Report has distinct ability and while he should be able to destroy fields like this at will, he has a hostile attitude to the game and he will decide if tonight will be the night to do the job. His better performances have been with cut in the ground but this is scarcely relevant given his temperament. Killultagh Storm was chasing the likes of Beef Or Salmon and Rathgar Beau during his days with Willie Mullins. This isn't anything like that caliber of race but Noel Chance's recent addition seems a light of his former self. Navarone has ability but unfortunately bursts blood vessels with alarming regularity. Deep King returns from an absence and is watched. Luneray was one of Paul Nicholls last winners during his chase for the title. He often races with an awkward head carriage and does not one to trust too implicitly. Tacolino should love the ground but his supporters have endured a long losing run. Many negatives to factor in to your staking plans and Lik Wood Power could be the answer at a working man's price.
Grey Report (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Jumped left, led, clear 7th, reluctant to race and headed approaching 10th, behind when mistake 3 out, took moderate 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 37l behind Trust Fund (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr.
Killultagh Storm (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, no impression when mistake 2 out, 4th of 10, 8l behind Gatorade (10-5) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Apr.
Lik Wood Power (NZ) 15-2 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 8th, in touch when fell 5 out in race won by Feel The Pride (10-11) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Tacolino (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Feel The Pride (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Deep King (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Led to 8th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Oneway (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Oct.
Luneray (FR) 8-1 (11-9) In rear, headway 12th, went 3rd 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 15l behind The Extra Man (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Apr.
Kind Sir 11-2 (10-6) Led to 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 13l behind Cosmocrat (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Celtic Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th, 10th of 11, well behind Cosmocrat (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.