led, not fluent 11th, 2 lengths ahead when a little awkward 3 out, soon joined, went wrong and rider got off (unseated)
prominent, jumped cautiously early on, pushed along after 11th, not fluent 4 out, pressing winner 2 out, well held from last
held up, pushed along 12th, no impression, pressing for modest 3rd 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, jumped left 8th, ridden after 12th, one pace and beaten 3 out
held up, went 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, soon challenging and then left in lead, drew clear from last
in rear, pushed along after 5th, reminder after 7th, losing touch and pulled up after 8th
withdrawn
The penny dropped with Baden in the spring and he won over 3m at Sandown and Ludlow. Gunfleet won over hurdles and Doncaster and Southwell last season and he’s been very lightly raced. He looks the type to do well over fences though this looks a tough start after a lay-off. Poker Play is also making his fencing bow after a break and he’s yet to win for David Pipe. The five-year-old has never encountered ground this quick either but conditions won’t be a problem for OVERLAND FLYER (NAP) and Paul Nicholls’ charge can make it third-time lucky over the larger obstacles after seconds at Newton Abbot and Wincanton in May.
Baden (FR) 11-10fav (11-9) Jumped left at times, led until slow 1st, led 2nd until slow 3rd, last after, not fluent 9th or 13th, outpaced 15th, closed on outside 4 out, 2nd 2 out, led before last, clear towards finish, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in May beating Ballycross (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Classic Ben (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, under pressure after 5 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 23 1/2l behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, 7th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Bobo Mac (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Poker Play (FR) 8-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway before 3rd, went 2nd 5th, bumped before 3 out, mistake 2 out, 3rd and beaten flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Carnspindle (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Allelu Alleluia (GER) 5-1 (11-9) Bit reluctant to jump off, held up in last pair, some headway under pressure when hung left 3 out, plugged on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 19 3/4l behind Rolling Maul (11-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Overland Flyer (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, led until before 4 out, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Indian Hawk (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (2) gd in May.
Gunfleet (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Nautical Nitwit (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
