chased leaders until 13th, soon ridden, one pace from 4 out
led until 3rd, tracked winner, mistake 9th, ridden after 14th, kept on same pace from 4 out
led 3rd, drew clear from 2 out, went right last, comfortably
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden after 13th, one pace from 4 out
mid-division, headway after 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 13th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace
held up, short lived effort 4 out
always behind, not fluent 5th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 15th
Nonrunner
Hermano Cordobes can get the better of Radnor Lad and Nelson's Spice. The selection's handicap mark has gone through the roof following his win in a Fontwell novice on his first run over fences; he was rated just 85 over hurdles but lines up here from 105. However, as he beat horses rated in excess of that and as it was his first run over fences, it may not be enough to prevent him from following up that success with this longer trip also likely to bring about further improvement. Radnor Lad responded well to the fitting of blinkers to score at Towcester and connections now try him in cheekpieces which could help to keep him fresh. The handicapper also took a dim view of that success and handed him a 12lb rise but as he has only finished out of the money once in four chase starts there are reasons to believe that he, too, may still be competitive. Nelson's Spice is one of the more interesting alternatives as he is bred to make a chaser and has plenty of form on decent ground to his name. The market may prove to be the best guide to his chances and, for the time being, we'll stick with Hermano Cordobes.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 15-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Casalani (10-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f clm chs (3) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden after 3 out, stayed on strongly approaching last, led near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in Apr beating Noble Ben (10-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Radnor Lad 6-1 (11-0) Led, headed 3rd, led again 7th, clear 4 out, blundered next, kept on approaching last, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Carryduff (11-1) by 11l, 10 ran.
Hurlers Cross (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led approaching 12th, ridden and headed approaching 5 out, no chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 26l behind Croc An Oir (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Close up, hit 2nd, ridden after 9th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Lindsay (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
River Indus 3-1fav (10-11) Chased winner throughout, 1 length down and ridden when hit 2 out, held last, unable to quicken run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Soleil Fix (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Towards rear, headway 7th, close up and blundered 2 out, lost place when slipped last, 14th of 16, well behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Good Man Again (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Led, not fluent 7th, headed approaching 12th, chased leader until ridden and weakened from 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Croc An Oir (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf, 8 ran.
Gumley Gale 28-1 (10-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway 14th, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 17, 18l behind Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
