chased clear leader, closed after 9th, challenging when jumped right and fell 11th
well in rear, headway 10th, hampered next, soon behind
set strong pace, clear 3rd, jumped left and not fluent 4th, reduced advantage after 9th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 5th, headway 10th, chased winner 2 out, weakened flat, lost 2nd near finish
held up, headway to go 3rd after 5th, not much room on inside on bend approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, went 2nd near finish
chased leaders, steadied 3rd, not much room on bend on inside after 9th, struggling in rear next, rallied after 14th, weakened 3 out
jumped right, held up, headway when hampered 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
chased leaders, left 2nd 11th until 13th, 2nd again before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat
well in rear, pulled up before 11th, dismounted
Nonrunner
Seymour Weld should ensure that this is a thorough test and that should suit LE DUC. The King Of Angels, Seymar Lad and Victor Daly are other notable contenders. Le Duc has dipped his toe in the waters of Hunter Chase company and hasn't proved out of his depth there, winning well last time and running a blinder at Aintree. He should be able to creep into contention from off the pace and can hopefully be produced at the right time. Seymour Weld has one way of running and it has proved to be most effective of late; the handicapper has been realistic in his assessment of the form but he could struggle to dominate this company at the finish. Seymar Lad isn't always the most willing but he has the ability to feature as does The King Of Angels who began last season with a couple of fine efforts. He has lost his way lately but has claims if getting back on the right path. Victor Daly has also been rather hit or miss unlike Aheadofhistime who has been the very model of consistency but could be outclassed; Le Duc has plenty of class and can stamp his authority on this field.
Seymour Weld 4-1 (11-8) Raced freely, led, clear 1st circuit, ridden and headed after 3 out, held when left well clear 2 out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov stks (2) gd in Apr beating Roseville (10-7) by dis, 5 ran.
The King of Angels (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Prominent, not fluent 8th, lost place after 10th, soon in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Russian Around (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd, 17 ran.
Scalloway (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Led to 7th, quickly lost place, in rear when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Victor Daly (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along from 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 46l behind Roulez Cool (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Le Duc (FR) 1-2fav (12-5) Tracked leaders, travelled well into 2nd 4 out, led last, pushed clear, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) gf beating Rockwithacaveman (12-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 7-1fav (10-8) Never reached beyond mid-division, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off when refused last, in a race won by Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Stagecoach Opal 16-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 10, 22l behind C'monthehammers (10-12) at Perth 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Direct Flight (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Lost place 9th, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
The Langer (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Keen, in touch, weakened 14th, 4th of 9, 34l behind National Petition (11-0) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Aheadofhistime (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Glimmer of Light (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) In rear, pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Free Gift (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
