mid-division, under pressure after 8th, soon lost place, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 5th, went 3rd 11th, pushed along after 3 out, one pace and no impression next
chased leader to 10th, blundered next, weakened 12th
not fluent, blundered 6th, lost touch 9th, tailed off
close up, headway to lead 10th, jumped left 2 out, driven and kept on well flat
took keen hold early, held up in rear, mistake 11th, stayed on after 3 out, never reached leaders, blundered last
always struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up approaching 9th
tended to jump left, led, hit 8th, headed 10th, blundered and weakened next, tailed off
always behind, struggling 8th, soon tailed off
behind, hit 5th, blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always prominent, chased winner from 10th, pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat
Nonrunner
MASTER T is given the vote to land the finale with both Tikram and Mambo des Mottes worth noting. The selection comes into the race having had a successful campaign in point to points. He is the winner of seven races under rules when trained by Gary Moore winning the majority around his local tracks at various trips. He was back in the winners enclosure in an open race recently and if recapturing his best form he is sure to be in the shake up come the business end of the race. Tikrams career highlight was when winning The Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase at The Cheltenham Festival in 2004. Most recently he has been plying his trade in points and Hunter Chases, winning a men's open before finishing fourth of eighteen behind Craiglands at Cheltenhams Hunter Chase meeting last week. If back to his best he warrants respect. Mambo des Mottes never won under rules for Venetia Williams but he did run some fair races in defeat off a mark of 123. He has been running well enough in points this season without getting his head in front, that said this trip and ground will be more to his liking so any market support should be noted.
Cape Verde Sal (IRE) 40-1 (12-2) Led to 5th, fell 14th, in a race won by Turthen (11-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Tikram 13-2 (12-1) Mid-division, lost place 8th, hit 12th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 18, 7l behind Craiglands (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd.
Bell Rock 12-1 (11-9) Soon in rear, mistake 8th, tailed off 11th, blundered last, 6th of 7, well behind Whizzaar (11-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Took My Eye (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Prominent 3rd, led 5th, headed 13th, led again 15th, clear flat, idled and swished tail towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr beating Ballynonty (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Highland Chief (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Held up; led 12 til hdd app last; no ex flat, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Letterman (12-0) at Catsfield 3m ptp in Apr.
Master T (USA) 3-1 (12-7) Made all; unchall, won at Godstone 3m ptp beating Letterman (12-7) by 12l, 3 ran.
Mister Swallow 4-1 (12-0) (cp) in tch til wknd qckly 14; to, 4th of 6, well behind Thoutmosis (12-6) at Marks Tey 3m ptp in Apr.
Neckar Valley (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Led til hdd & no ex flat, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Cape Stormer (12-7) at Tweseldown 3m ptp in Apr.
River Bailiff (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu 13, in a race won by Possextown (12-0) at Godstone 3m ptp, 4 ran.
Sha Bihan (FR) 4-7 (12-4) In tch; one-pcd 3 out, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Monashee Grey (12-0) at High Easter 3m ptp in Apr.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Bd 4, in a race won by Young Collier (12-4) at Charing 3m ptp in Apr, 5 ran.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 11-1 (12-5) 2nd til wknd 13; to, last of 3, well behind Sonevafushi (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m ptp.
The Tailor Carey (IRE) (12-0) Led 9; in comm 2 out, won at Tweseldown 3m ptp in Apr beating Elenas River (12-5) by 10l, 3 ran.
Wain Mountain 10-1 (11-7) Prom til ur 2 out, in a race won by Blue Business (11-4) at Godstone 3m ptp in Feb, 11 ran.
