held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner next, challenged last, ran on but held towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4 out, pressed last, ran on gamely
towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway when hit last, kept on
behind, some headway 3 out, never on terms
close up, short of room soon after 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened next
keen tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, soon headed, tracked leaders, keeping on same pace when fell last
close up, pushed along 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, rallied flat, kept on same pace
Some interesting types are on show here and they should be noted for later in the summer. Max Ward was a decisive scorer at Taunton last time and looks on the upgrade. He handles the trip well and is respected. Volcanic was a heavily-backed odds-on disappointment at Hexham, however, and the jury is still out. WORTHY AWARD gets 7lb from the pair and can take advantage. He shaped very nicely on his UK debut when third at Warwick over a trip patently too short. This extra half mile should suit the former Irish point-to-point winner far better and he can get off the mark. Cultram Abbey has been absent since showing promise in a bumper back in late 2012, but Georgie Lad and Thedrinkymeister are interesting.
Max Ward (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 7th, clear when rider dropped whip flat, driven out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Willow Island (11-0) by 20l, 11 ran.
Volcanic (FR) 8-15fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 14, 23l behind Mohawk Ridge (11-6) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Buckontupence (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 17, 39l behind Ulzana's Raid (11-1) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Cultram Abbey 12-1 (11-9) Held up in last, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 4th of 9, 5l behind Rhymers Stone (10-13) at Ayr 1m 6f mdn nat hunt flat (6) sft in Nov '12.
Georgie Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, took closer order 2nd, hit 3rd, challenged 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, well behind Cogry (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
Rough King (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) In touch in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, last of 6, 28l behind Tom Lamb (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Tanner Hill (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before halfway, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Call Me Vic (10-9) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Prominent, led 6f out, headed over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 11l behind Ballybolley (11-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Worthy Award (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Prominent in chasing group, pushed laong before 4 out, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, went one paced 3rd before last, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Saint Jerome (10-13) at Warwick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
