chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led last, ridden and headed flat, no impression towards finish
led, jumped right 3rd, headed last, led again flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 5th, well beaten 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until next, went 2nd again briefly before 3 out, 3rd and held from 2 out
held up towards rear, well beaten from 7th
rear of mid-division, headway after 7th, 4th 3 out, no impression, lost 4th towards finish
chased winner until 5th, went 2nd again next until before 3 out, soon weakened, jumped left 2 out, tailed off
jumped right, behind until pulled up after 7th
mid-division on outside, not fluent 1st, some headway 7th, well held 3 out, went 4th towards finish
After losing his confidence over fences, CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY reverted to the smaller obstacles at Kempton and beat a good yardstick to get off the mark. He has the highest rating of the four previous winners in this and should double his tally. Taste The Fear was under pressure when falling at Sedgefield two weeks ago having won at that track earlier but is probably a bigger danger than Blakeney Point, who carries a double penalty, and One Handsome Dude.
Blakeney Point 33-1 (10-5) Midfield, pushed along before 3 out, never involved, 15th of 22, dist behind Rowland Ward (10-1) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Champagne Mystery (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, close 2nd before 3rd until after 6th, chased leaders, left 2nd 3 out, switched right after 2 out, 1 length down last, driven ahead run-in, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar beating Jeremy Pass (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
One Handsome Dude (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, led went left and bumped 2 out, edged left run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr beating No Fixed Charges (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Taste The Fear (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden and edged left when fell 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Jabbea (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o & pu 3 out, at Buckfastleigh 3m hvy in Mar.
Jaunty Express 125-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, ridden before 4 out, well beaten when pulled up before 2 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Mr Sociable 125-1 (11-2) Chased winner, wandered into 2nd, lost 2nd 2 out, went 2nd again last, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Dorking Lad (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Palermo (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Rock N'stones (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 7f hcp (6) gf in May.
Lady Malarkey (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Towards rear, brought down by faller 1st, at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Giovanni Royale 25-1 (11-1) Pulled hard, held up in 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when not fluent 2 out, last of 3, dist behind Faivoir (11-11) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Mar.
