led until 3rd, prominent, hit 9th, outpaced 13th, weakened 3 out, well beaten after 2 out, pulled up after
mid-division, headway 11th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven flat, headed close home
mistakes, prominent 1st, soon mid-division, struggling 13th, tailed off
mid-division, lost place when jumped left 6th, ridden briefly next, mistake 10th, well behind 12th, pulled up after
tracked leaders, ridden 13th, kept on same pace from 3 out
in rear, not fluent, bad mistake 4th, well behind 12th, pulled up after
held up in rear, some headway after 12th, not fluent and bumped next, soon no impression, tailed off
prominent, led 3rd, headed 12th, bumped 4 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, lost place when bumped 13th, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, ridden and lost place 12th, soon behind, tailed off
held up in rear, went 6th 14th, never in contention
tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led 12th, jumped left 4 out, headed last, battled gamely to get back up close home
Nonrunner
This is a minefield for punters and relatively consistent performer Michigan D'Isop should be considered for the frame places as an each-way selection at a bigger price. However for the win we side with FINE BY ME who has won three of his last four chase starts on good ground or softer. The trip is suitable, the jockey knows the horse well and the selection won the only time he has appeared at this course. Connections will hope a summer break will benefit Doctor Pat who ended last season in disappointing style. In contrast King Fontaine ended last year in decent nick getting back-to-back wins but there may be concerns about the distance today, whilst Midnight Gold could play a role for a trainer with a 13% strike-rate here in recent seasons.
Out The Black (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 17th, pushed along 5 out, in 5th and weakening from after 4 out, 6th of 30, well behind Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 11th, soon struggling, 8th of 14, 32l behind Burren Legend (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar.
Ballydub (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Synchronised (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar, 17 ran.
De Soto 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd (water), jumped left and fell 11th, in a race won by Ballycarney (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
Midnight Gold 16-1 (10-11) Mostly chased leader until slightly outpaced 3 out, rallied well from last to 2nd last stride, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-11) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Backbord (GER) 14-1 (10-2) In rear, jumped slowly 2nd, soon pushed along, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 11l behind Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Doctor Pat (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up, in touch in 4th, blundered 10th, ridden and weakend after 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 49l behind Little Josh (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Petite Margot 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, jumped slowly 10th, pushed along from next, lost 2nd 3 out until after last, rallied gamely and pressed winner entering final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Volcanic Rock (11-6) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Fine By Me (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 3rd, clear 18th, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Trigger The Light (11-2) by 4l, 9 ran.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Disputed lead until 11th, lost place next, rallied approaching last, stayed on always held, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Sagalyrique (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, weakened from 12th, hit 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lydon House (11-10) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Royal Kicks (FR) 6-4fav (9-9) Held up, blundered 3rd and 6th, mistake 8th, headway to go 3rd 5 out, chased winner 4 out, no chance, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Neutrino (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
King Fontaine (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Close up, led 5th, blundered last, driven out, just held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Apr beating Indian Pipe Dream (11-0) by nk, 4 ran.
