always behind
behind, under pressure before 5th, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
behind, mistake 4 out, ran on approaching last, never nearer
mid-division, headway 6th, every chance when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on well, never reached leaders
held up in touch, effort 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before last (finished 6th, disqualified and placed last)
led until 6th, remained prominent, effort 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon lost place
raced keenly tracking leaders, mistake 4th, every chance 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, chasing leader when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well
prominent, lost place 4 out
always towards rear
always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms
pulled hard, soon prominent, led 6th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened
settled towards rear, headway approaching 6th, soon chasing leaders, led before 4 out, hard driven after 2 out, ran on well
mid-division, under pressure before 5 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
Many towards the top of the handicap appear to be using this as a 'prep' for a return to chasing and it may be worth looking to the other end of the weights for the winner. Philip Hobbs has the three bottomweights and ARTHURIAN LEGEND looks the one to be with. He remains lightly-raced, has landed both of his successes at this venue and is the choice of Richard Johnson. Rebel Rebellion benefited from a wind operation last term and looked one to follow after scoring at Kempton and Sandown the last twice. He looks the best of the Nicholls pair and inhabits a fair mark. Joker Choker is unproven at this level but should go well if over his recent tumble at Cheltenham, whilst Shoegazer, not disgraced in the Martin Pipe race at the Festival, is another that looks acceptably treated.
Sir Harry Ormesher 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inner before 2 out, every chance last, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 20, 8l behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon outpaced by leaders and no impression, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 31l behind Zarkandar (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.
The Giant Bolster 15-2 (11-4) Led, headed before 3rd, disputing 4th when fell 5th, in a race won by Quito De La Roque (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Always prominent, driven and effort approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 20, 5l behind Divers (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Joker Choker (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Ixora (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf, 13 ran.
Robinson Collonges (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear and keen, hampered 5th, in rear and not fluent 12th, tailed off when pulled up after 13th, in a race won by Quito De La Roque (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leading duo, travelling strongly when led 2 out, in control soon after, came clear between last 2, very easily, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Our Mick (11-8) by 7l, 6 ran.
Lion On The Prowl (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Took keen hold early, not fluent 1st, soon led, headed after 8th, led again 10th, ridden when blundered 2 out, headed approaching last, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Jaunty Journey (11-5) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Darna 2-1fav (11-11) Led, headed before 4th, tracked leader, led again 3 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly, won at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Desert Cry (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 17 ran.
Shoegazer (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 7th, tracking leaders on bend before last, soon weakened, 9th of 23, 21l behind Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Global Power (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, mistake next, closed after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, 4th and weakening when hit last, 4th of 5, 18l behind Bold Addition (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
William Hogarth 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, lost place and ridden before next, pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Snake Charmer (10-1) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Numide (FR) 33-1 (10-7) In rear when blundered and hampered 5th, stayed on from after 2 out, never in contention, 7th of 24, 20l behind Alarazi (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Mar.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden and about 8th when brought down 7th, in a race won by Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Architrave 12-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, not fluent 3rd and ridden, outpaced when hit 4 out, hung left from 2 out, plugged on for modest 4th, 4th of 6, 18l behind Domtaline (11-10) at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) gd.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 9-1 (10-5) Led, mistake 4th, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon no extra and weakened entering straight, 16th of 24, 34l behind Truckers Delight (9-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f ext hcp hdl gd in May.
Arthurian Legend 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, soon pushed along, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Bunclody (11-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Filbert (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 2 out, driven out from last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Lord Liath (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
