held up tracking leaders, went 2nd 12th, pushed along and hit 5 out, ridden and held from 3 out, ridden and beaten when hit 2 out, no chance with easy winner
jumped boldly, made all, clear 4 out, shaken up between last two, kept on strongly, unchallenged
jumped carefully, in rear, lost touch 7th, never on terms, tailed off
tended to jump right, tracked leaders, 2nd 3rd until 12th, chased leading pair until after 13th, went distant 3rd again 3 out
chased winner until 3rd, chased leading pair until after 7th, pushed along and struggling after next, last when mistake and struggling 9th, tailed off
held up in last trio, headway into 3rd after 7th, pushed along and no chance with leading duo before 5 out, lost 3rd 3 out and jumped right after
Nonrunner
Creepy makes his chasing bow off a potentially lenient mark having won a Grade 2 over hurdles at Cheltenham last year. But he might need the experience and likes to lead and there are a couple of front-runners in this. Carole's Destrier also makes his debut over the larger obstacles but his stable has been among the winners lately. You would expect Hollow Tree to make his mark over fences while Allthekingshorses and Another Kate have already won a chase. BARTON STACEY ran in the same voided race as Cloudy Bob at Ludlow in the spring but has made giant strides since, winning three times. He's tough and may have one more win in him before the handicapper has his say.
Barton Stacey (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up in last pair in touch, driven to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and one pace in 4th between last 2, rallied flat, led and going away towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Aug beating My Lad Percy (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Creepy (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Pressed leader on outside, not fluent 5th, driven and lost place before 4 out, weakened next, 14th of 15, well behind Faugheen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Hollow Tree 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until next, outpaced after 3 out, unable to get back on terms, one pace, 4th of 5, 7l behind Zaru (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Allthekingshorses (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 8th, lost place 10th, behind when mistake 12th, soon struggling, plugged on to take moderate 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 38l behind Velator (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Another Kate (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 7th, headway 11th, challenged 13th, mistake when 3rd 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Up For An Oscar (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd.
Carole's Destrier 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakend 2 out, 18th of 22, 45l behind Doctor Harper (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.