held up, headway 13th, jumped right and fluent 4 out, beaten when jumped right and not fluent 3 out
prominent, mistake 6th, jumped right and lost place 8th, ridden after 9th, behind from 10th
held up, hit 12th, some headway 3 out, soon beaten
led into start, tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and hung left, left 2nd and hampered last, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, no extra 2 out, left 3rd when hampered last
jumped right at times, led until 5th, prominent, led again 9th, joined when fell last
prominent, led 5th, headed when hit 12th, stayed prominent, hit 14th, upsides when left in lead last, ridden clear
in touch, mistake 10th, not fluent next, soon ridden, beaten when mistake 3 out
held up, behind 10th, mistake next
Battle Group's best form is head and shoulders above that of his rivals but David Pipe's gelding hasn't much heart for a battle and keeps finding one too good. If he's in the right frame of mind, the seven-year-old would win easily but he could be worth opposing at the likely odds with BEGGAR'S VELVET. The latter looked a nice prospect when winning a novices' handicap on his fencing bow and has plenty of scope. Valento's second to Caddie Master over C&D was also a solid first effort over the larger obstacles and he'll be winning soon but a penalty will again hamper the chances of Beside The Fire.
Beggar's Velvet (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Sonic Anthem (10-8) by 13l, 5 ran.
Beside The Fire 9-2 (11-5) Led, reminder after 6th, headed 4 out, soon outpaced in 3rd, ridden next, went 6 lengths 2nd approaching last, rallied flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Indian Daudaie (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (4) gs.
Areuwitmenow (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place before 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tartan Tiger (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 14 ran.
Battle Group 4-6fav (11-0) Took keen hold, tracking leading pair, went 2nd 8th, challenged on inside and slight lead 10th, headed next, driven hung left and not keen from 4 out, no chance but plugged on from last, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Prince Tom (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (5) gf in May.
Deb's Dasher 6-4 (12-0) 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Special Account (12-4) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gf in May.
Firm Order (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place and switched outside 8th, reminder before next, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up after out, in a race won by Sansili (10-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Johnny's Way 10-3 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, chased winner from 4 out, no chance next, mistake 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 21l behind Himalayan Express (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gf in May.
Valento 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders and raced wide, led 8th, mistake and headed 11th, led again 4 out, headed final100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Caddie Master (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs.
Allforclover (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Mistake 2nd always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Oslot (10-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hunt chs (6) gd.
Lupita (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Chased leading trio, pushed along 8th, ridden and beaten before 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 25l behind Easter Meteor (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Apr.
