led to after 8th, weakened quickly and pulled up approaching 9th
behind and hampered 2nd, ridden and lost touch 5th, pulled up before 9th
mistake 1st, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
in touch, headway 13th, led on bit 4 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out
held up mid-division, some headway 9th, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, every chance approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, mistake 3 out
towards rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch approaching 9th
held up mid-division, headway approaching 9th, pecked 13th, with leader and every chance 3 out, kept on from 2 out
prominent when fell 8th
chased leader, led after 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon lost touch
mid-division, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, lost touch approaching 9th, tailed off when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 13th
Heather Dalton has been very selective in her placement of Model Son and the fact that she allows him to give weight to the likes of Loup Charter and Reflected Glory at this stage of the season suggests that connections very much feel that he is up to the task. The presence of Zabenz and Very Optimistic clouds the picture for punters. Chasing debutante Very Optimistic ran a blinder in a tough race at Haydock last time and would be a leading contender if he is in the same frame of mind this afternoon. He still has scope to improve and can give them all something to think about if he copes with going right-handed over fences. Zabenz - a Grade One chase winner in the States - jumped well on his British debut at Lingfield twenty days ago. That outing will have done him the power of good and he has solid place claims this afternoon. Reflected Glory is a typical embryonic chaser from the Paul Nicholls yard and can be placed to good effect in due course. However, he already has a bit to find with Loup Charter and may be best watched today. The last named is fancied as the main threat to the selection and, despite his poor showing at Aintree when he was last seen out, should give a better account of himself on this type of ground. However, Model Son has everything in his favour this afternoon and this presents a good opportunity for him to put his experience as a chaser to good use.
Model Son (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Made all, pushed clear 2 out, unextended, won at Carlisle 3m nov chs (C) hvy in Oct beating See You There (10-11) by 19l, 10 ran.
Double Header (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 21l behind Standin Obligation (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 1st, headway after 13th, stayed on but not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd.
Loup Charter (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened 9th, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Asian Maze (10-11) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Reflected Glory (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Chased winner from 2nd, jumped right from 11th, every chance when blundered 2 out, not recover, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Red Georgie (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (D) sft in Oct.
Very Optimistic (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner when mistakes 3 out and next, lost 2nd flat, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Mr Cool (10-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gs in May.
Zabenz (NZ) 13-2 (11-7) Led to 3rd, tracked winner afterwards, slightly lost place before 10th, stayed on from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
Kewlake Lane 9-4 (11-9) 2nd of 8, 2l behind Baker's Folly (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Apr.
