settled in 3rd and off the pace, closed up after 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, chased winner until no extra final 75 yards
not jump well in rear, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
led at fast pace and soon clear, came back to field after 3 out, ridden and headed well before 2 out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, settled in 5th off fast pace, not fluent 8th, closed up after 3 out, ridden to challenge and led soon after 2 out, driven out
soon well outpaced in rear, never in contention
settled 3rd off pace, mistake 7th, hit 9th and 4 out, closed after 3 out, ridden and ran on flat to 2nd final 75 yards, no chance with winner
tracked clear leader, closed after 3 out, led well before 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, one pace before last
held up, ridden and no chance from 4 out
not fluent, soon well behind, no chance from 4 out
Julies Boy gets the confident vote here with Victory Roll and French Direction rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Munadil and although he has a penalty for that win he won with a little in hand and under similar conditions here he is taken to defy the handicapper. Victory Roll rates the main danger on his latest second behind Roznic. That form has since been franked and off the same mark here he will not be far away. French Direction would be a danger to all on his best form but he took a heavy fall last time out and his best form is over a longer trip so he looks vulnerable on that basis. Of the remainder Inaki is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we return to Julies Boy.
Victory Roll 7-2 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed before last, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Roznic (11-9) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) In touch to 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 22, well behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
French Direction (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led 3rd, well clear when fell at the last in race won by Jupon Vert (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Adecco (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 18, 16l behind Gustavo (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Beluga (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 22, well behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Inaki (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, chased leaders after 3 out, no impression and lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 11, 24l behind Smeathe's Ridge (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Julies Boy (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Led to 3rd, led again 4 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating Munadil (10-8) by 7l, 6 ran.
Sweet Minuet 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, soon ridden along, weakened 9th, 7th of 14, 28l behind Ravenscar (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (F) gf in Apr.
Major Belle (FR) 11-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, lost place 3rd, ridden appoaching 6th, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 36l behind Just A Touch (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
