held up, blundered 2nd, headway on outside when blundered 3 out, soon beaten, mistake last
held up in touch, blundered 3rd, lost place 6th, jumped slowly 7th, pulled up before next
held up, headway approaching 10th, blundered 14th, jumped slowly 15th, slightly outpaced after 4 out, renewed effort when not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced
held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 15th, ridden to lead approaching last, driven flat and held on near finish
mid-division, driven along after 10th, behind 14th, no danger when mistake 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out
jumped right, chased leader until approaching 15th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
blundered and unseated ridder 1st
jumped right, led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon hung right, continued to hang right and 2 lengths off winner flat, rallied and finished well
held up, fell 12th
A cracking three days begins with an amateur riders' event in which Yes My Lord can prevail over No Guarantees, Darby Wall and Le Jaguar. Yes My Lord was sent off as odds-on favourite on his reappearance at Stratford, but was beaten by the 14-year-old Mr Dow Jones. It can be argued that he was disappointing, but as that was his first outing since February, David Pipe's charge will surely come on for the run, and this drop back in trip will not tax his stamina as much. Although the ground may not be as soft as he would like, the seven-year-old is taken to come out on top here. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in good shape, and David England has come in for quite a few rides, so his inclusion on No Guarantees is a plus-point. He took on decent opposition over hurdles last season, and although not foot-perfect over fences at Chepstow three weeks ago, can make his presence felt as well. Darby Wall was successful over the course-and-distance last year but was a faller at the last meeting. Enda Bolger's charge will be a danger to all if staying upright, while Le Jaguar, who got round in third in that same race, seems to have improved for a wind operation in the summer. Martha's Kinsman is worth a mention as well, and if you are looking for a long-shot, what about Nicky Henderson's Aristoxene who has the assistance of Jamie Snowdon. He will be all the better for the run though, with preference for Yes My Lord.
Fool On The Hill 16-1 (11-12) In rear when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Tribal Venture (10-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Hot Weld 10-1 (11-12) Held up, hampered 3rd and 9th, ridden when mistake 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Aristoxene (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 14th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Simon (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr.
Darby Wall (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway when fell at the 10th in race won by Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Le Jaguar (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, hampered 3rd, lost place 7th, progress 14th, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Prominent, mainly second to 15th, soon ridden, weakening when stumbled and hampered 2 out, 4th of 12, 21l behind Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Exstoto 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 7th, hit 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied to lead post, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct beating Before The Mast (10-4) by a shd, 6 ran.
Whitford Don (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, driven along 13th, weakened 15th, jumped right 16th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Omni Cosmo Touch (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
No Guarantees 9-2 (11-7) In touch, led 3rd, headed 13th, mistake and left in lead 4 out, clear next, weakened and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Mr Dow Jones (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Yes My Lord (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Raced wide, held up in touch, challenged 16th, led 3 out, headed, hung left before 2 out, continued to hang left, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Mr Dow Jones (10-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Oct.