always in rear, slow 14th, soon weakened
held up in main group, improved 13th, left 2nd after 4 out, led after 2 out, clear last, eased flat
led and soon clear with one other, headed 5th, remained close up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in main group, ridden and weakened 4 out
led chasing group, took closer order 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out
with clear leader, led 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon one pace
in touch in main group, ridden 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in main group, improved 11th, 1 length down and chasing leader when fell 4 out
always towards rear, pecked 6th, behind 8th, pulled up before 10th
unseated rider start
close up in main group, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out
Sikander A Azam gets the vote here ahead of Ain Tecbalet, Tubber Roads, Bush Hill Bandit and Derrintogher Yank. Sikander A Azam has a good profile for this type of race and his run at Cheltenham last time suggested that a return to a less-demanding track might show him up in an even better light. He gets the chance to prove that today. As recent winning pointers with solid form to their names, Ain Tecbalet, Tubber Roads and Bush Hill Bandit are all worthy of respect, but Upham Lord has become disappointing, seemingly wanting to do things his own way. Derrintogher Yank and Good Bone look best of the others, and their chances are not forlorn ones. As ever with these types of race, give the betting the once over but, overall, we are happy to side with Sikander A Azam.
Good Bone (FR) 8-1 Mid-division, headway after 9th, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Chasing The Bride at Ludlow 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Sikander A Azam 4-1 Held up, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 6th of 15, 5l behind Let's Fly at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (H) gd in Apr.
Upham Lord (IRE) 4-1 Led to 7th, tracked leaders, led again 10th, headed 3 out, ridden and rallied from last, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Panmure at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
Ain Tecbalet (FR) 9-4 won at Fakenham (point) 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Second Thoughts by 2l, 7 ran.
Bush Hill Bandit (IRE) 9-4 2nd of 8, 6l behind Little Brown Bear at Fakenham (point) 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Derrintogher Yank (IRE) 16-1 Led 3rd, headed 9th, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 12, 16l behind Sir d'Orton at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gf in Apr.
Montys Tag (IRE) 9-4 ran out in race won by Gatchou Mans at Fakenham (point) 3m ptp gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Tubber Roads (IRE) 6-4jt-fav won at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Roll With It by 10l, 5 ran.
