held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden, hung left and chased winner after 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, jumped big and bumped 1st, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, soon lost place, not fluent after, mistake 4th, behind from 5th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
chased leader until 3rd and again fron 4th, not fluent next, lost 2nd 3 out, soon weakened, went lame and pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, never in contention
led, clear 3rd until after 3 out, headed when hit 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until next, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, went 2nd 3 out briefly, weakened approaching last
mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear when not fluent last, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, not always fluent, headway 3 out, pressing leaders next, weakened approaching last
pulled hard in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, behind 5th
mid-division, headway after 5th, mistake 3 out, disputing 2nd 2 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last
tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, lost place when mistake 4th, behind when mistake next, tailed off
Steptoe is surely capable of better but TWENTYNINEBLACK arrives with fewer questions to answer and gets the vote. Donald McCain's charge has filled second spot on four of his eight starts but there appears no reason to question his attitude, he's simply found one too good each time. This looks his easiest assignment to date and if he runs to his mark of 108 then he won't be far away, especially with Jason Maguire riding out of his skin at present. Steptoe may well represent the biggest threat but he does need to leave behind a couple of poor efforts. As with our pick though this is the easiest task he's been set and this well-bred individual could well win if returning to the form of his bumper second. Don Cantillon doesn't send many over timber so Alpine Breeze needs considering especially if support arrives. This filly looked half decent in a couple of bumpers but hasn't yet shown she's adapted to hurdles, but should she jump with more fluency there could be a place in store. The market will tell us more as to her chances, as it will the Irish contingent headed by Study Troubles, winner of a maiden point-to-point last time. Phillip Fenton is a talented trainer who knows what he has when he has it, as does Tony Martin who saddles Rendezvous Bay, although the booking of Mr Niall Terry suggests today might not be the day for him. Milandale may be able to progress beyond The Chazer, with the last named perhaps flattered by a BHA mark of 107 which puts him close to our selection, but we much prefer the claims of Twentynineblack in a weak opener.
Grand Award 11-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in 4th until mistake and dropped rear 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Logans Run (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd, 5 ran.
Lago Verde (SWI) 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Carpincho (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Milandale (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on outer, headway to chase leaders 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Lion On The Prowl (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Rendezvous Bay (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some modest late headway, 9th of 13, 35l behind Flat Out (11-9) at Sligo 2m hdl gd.
Steptoe 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, raced keenly, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Black Jack Blues (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Study Troubles (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) Handy, 4th/5th, mstk 3rd, 3rd from 10th, closer 2out, chall last, ld flat, ko best flat, won at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Biker Boy (12-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
The Chazer (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Flanagan (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Twentynineblack (FR) 3-1 (10-9) In touch on inside, headway to lead last, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure until headed and no extra final strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind Montoya's Son (10-9) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Acquisitive (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 45l behind Solway Sam (11-0) at Perth 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
She'solovely 66-1 (10-8) Led, headed before halfway, tracked leader, weakened well over 2f out, 7th of 17, 23l behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Alpine Breeze (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway and hung left over 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 19, 14l behind Big Time Billy (10-5) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Beat In Time 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Gilbarry (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
