held up, headway 6th, pushed along after 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, hard ridden flat, no extra towards finish
made all, clear approaching last, driven out
chased leaders, jumped right 1st, chased winner after 3rd, jumped right 4 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
chased winner until after 3rd, jumped slowly 6th and lost place, no danger after
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 4 out, beaten after 2 out, one pace
La Grande Villez is given the vote here ahead of Pearl King and Orrezzo. The selection was rated as much as 127 over hurdles and was good enough to win a novice chase on his first outing over the larger obstacles. He was given a break over the winter only to fall on his reappearance run but faired better when second to Possol at Towcester last time out. His rating of 125 is in comparison with his hurdle rating and if returning to his best he has to have every chance. Pearl King has already won three chases and showed his well being by winning a decent handicap at the Grand National meeting at Aintree last month. He was then fifth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle before running well in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock two weeks ago. He is definitely the form horse in the race and will be a live danger to our selection. Orrezzo has won back to back races at Ludlow and Bangor recently but may sruggles now he has a seven pound penalty to carry. So for the winner we return to La Grande Villez.
Magic Sky (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Held up, not fluent 3rd or 9th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, kept on flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Ela Re (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Pearl King (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, hung left last, one pace, 5th of 24, 10l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Warpath (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Nation State (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (3) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Orrezzo (GER) 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led after 8th, ridden 2 out, headed last, regained lead under pressure close home, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Levitski (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, mistake last, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Oscar Bay (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chs (2) gd.
Cheeky Lad 22-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Toni Alcala (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
La Grande Villez (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Possol (11-5) at Towcester 2m nov chs (4) gd in Apr.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 4-1co-fav (11-1) Mid-division on outer, headway 9th, weakend after 3 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nice Try (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 11 ran.
