led, joined briefly 8th, led 9th and upped tempo far side, shaken up 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, faced strong challenge after the last, weakened quickly once headed run-in
mid-division, tracked leader after the 5th, joined leader briefly 8th, not fluent 9th and lost position, towards rear 5 out, ridden after 4 out, stayed on strongly after 2 out, went second run-in, kept on but always held
tracked leader, chased leader and disputed 2nd 4 out and 3 out, ridden after 2 out, made strong challenge last, led final 110 yards and always doing enough close home
mid-division, tailed off after 5 out
in rear, closer when mistake 5 out, disputing 2nd 4 out and 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on strongly after the last
towards rear, headway to track leaders after the 11th, ridden 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, ran on gamely final 110 yards but always held
prominent when a bad mistake 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 4th, weakened after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
It would have been remiss of century-maker Fergal O’Brien not to have a runner in a race that carries his name. AGENT VALDEZ made all at Sedgefield two weeks ago and easily recorded a second win over the larger obstacles – she still looks well treated here only 3lb higher. Theatre Mix was a beaten favourite at Exeter last time but is almost guaranteed to run her race again while Cushuish won over a longer trip at Wincanton and is capable of more if she brushes up her jumping. Always Able is fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time and looks the pick of the remainder.
Agent Valdez 7-4 (11-11) Made all, ridden clear soon after 2 out(usual 3 out), ran on(first fence in straight omitted), won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Liffeydale Dreamer (11-2) by 9l, 4 ran.
Floral Bouquet 22-1 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, ridden after 7th, modest headway under pressure 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Cushuish 3-1 (10-0) Led or disputed lead until blundered 3 out, led again last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Whatsdastory (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Always Able (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, headed 1st, close up from 4th, led 11th, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind Stylish Dancer (10-11) at Warwick 3m hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Theatre Mix 2-1fav (10-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, quick headway on outside final bend, close 3rd 4 out, held 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Dog Of War (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Miss Antipova 50-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway to chase leader after 4 out, briefly pressed leader 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out and last, stayed on strongly after the last and claimed 2nd dying strides, 2nd of 7, 12l behind First Class Return (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Wildkatze (GER) 150-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, left 2nd 9th, lost 2nd 12th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Liberty Bella (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4f (3) gs in Mar.
