chased leaders from 3rd, weakened approaching 12th, well behind when pulled up after 15th
jumped badly, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
jumped badly, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
made most until approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten approaching 2 out, soon weakened
jumped badly, in rear, headway 11th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mainly towards rear, ridden after 12th, blundered and unseated rider 15th
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, drew clear approaching 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened 15th
in touch, ridden approaching 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leader until ridden and mistake 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, weakened after 4 out, mistake 3 out
mid-division, reminder after 6th, ridden after 11th, stayed on from 3 out, went moderate 4th before last
prominent to 3rd, held up, ridden after 15th, headway when mistake 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
A good turn out for this race. We'll take Sleeping Night to give weight and a beating to his rivals, Whitenzo and Holy Joe are respected. The selection finished behind Lord Who last time when in receipt of 4lbs but that race was run on heavy ground and we confidently expect him to reverse the placings on this quicker terrain. This former high class chaser can count a win over course and distance amongst his nine chase wins and retains enough ability to win from his current mark. Holy Joe was rated some way below the selection when in his prime but he's a reliable performer in this sphere and is respected. However, he may prefer a bit more cut in the ground and the handicapper hasn't taken any chances. Whitenzo hasn't been at his best in two runs this year but he's a capable sort on his day and simply cannot be left out of calculations. Harlov is in form but needs a stiffer test whilst Beauchamp Oracle returned a well beaten favourite in a less competitive running of this race last year. He may have joint top weight but Sleeping Night has leading claims.
Holy Joe (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Led 3rd to 9th, remained close up, every chance 3 out until 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 19, 19l behind Christy Beamish (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Sleeping Night (FR) 2-1 (11-10) Prominent, outpaced 3 out, rallied between last 2, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Lord Who (12-0) at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (6) hvy.
Lord Who (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Prominent, outpaced 8th, rallied and closed up 12th, went 2nd when hit 3 out, effort approaching last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (6) hvy beating Sleeping Night (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Whitenzo (FR) 20-1 (12-0) Towards rear, headway when mistake 8th, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 19, well behind Christy Beamish (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Moscow Court (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Prominent, effort 11th, weakened after, 6th of 14, 32l behind Whizzaar (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gs in Apr.
Lowlander 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 13th, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Alvino (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Harlov (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 9th, close up 3 out, led flat, kept on, won at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Innisfree (11-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Beauchamp Oracle 6-1 (12-0) Towards rear, ridden 10th, never a factor, 6th of 13, 42l behind James Pine (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Kiora Bay 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost touch from 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Natiain (12-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hts chs (5) sft in Apr.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Held up, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Natiain (11-13) at Perth 3m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Cash In Hand (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place after 10th, soon outpaced, plugged on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind It's Like That (12-0) at Bangor 3m nov hts chs (6) gs.
Jupiter's Fancy 4-7fav (11-7) Held up; hdwy 14; kpt on wl flat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Gabor (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd.
Holly Walk 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 17th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Massimo (12-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd, 16 ran.
