tracked leaders who went clear from 2nd until 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace last, no extra flat
tracked leaders who went clear from 2nd until 4th, challenged on bit 2 out, led before last, shaken up and went clear flat
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along next, ridden after 4th, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, rider unbalanced before last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
led, jumped slightly right, ridden before 2 out, headed appraoching last, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd close home
held up, took keen hold, ridden after 5th, weakened before next, tailed off
Winning chaser Rody was third at Newton Abbot on his return to hurdling but was beaten when falling at the same track next time. SWIFT ARROW is also better known as a chaser and he's probably having a confidence-booster after being pulled up in the Topham at Aintree. But A P McCoy's mount can't be ignored in this grade and gets the nod ahead of Val D'Arc, a winner over the larger obstacles in France, and bumper winner Agha Des Mottes. Sergeant Thunder won a bumper on his racecourse debut but disappointed over hurdles at Doncaster and then fell at the first at Wincanton - he has a bit to prove now. Thatchers Gold was second at Uttoxeter last time but still beaten 20 lengths.
Rody (FR) 7-2 (10-8) Led, headed 2 out, in 2nd and held when fell last, in a race won by Howlongisafoot (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Sergeant Thunder 7-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, chasing leaders when fell heavily 1st, in a race won by Chase The Wind (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hampered 13th (valentines), soon behind, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 30 ran.
Thatchers Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped right and reminder 2nd, went right 4th, closed 6th, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 20l behind Germany Calling (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Val D'arc (FR) 3-1fav (11-6) With leader, led 2nd, headed after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Witness In Court (11-7) at Haydock 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Agha Des Mottes (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 3f out, ridden one pace and no impression final 2f, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Vodka 'n Tonic (11-2) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Strictly The One (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Chased leading pair, driven and weakened 6th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Handmaid (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gd, 8 ran.
