chased leader, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led after 3 out, pushed clear from 2 out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
towards rear, pushed along after 4th, weakened 7th
mid-division until blundered and unseated rider 2nd
chased leader, led approaching 3rd, mistake 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led to after 3rd, prominent until rider lost iron after 5th, weakened quickly 6th, pulled up before 7th
always towards rear, no impression
Northaw Lad lost little in defeat in a novice hurdle last time and looks well treated for his return to handicap-company so gets the vote ahead of Anatar and Hard N Sharp. The last mentioned has failed to complete in his last two starts but would have place claims on the pick of his earlier form. Son of Greek Myth has slipped to a fair mark but has given little cause for optimism of late, while Montesino disappointed at Exeter last month but would have to be respected on earlier form, including on similar ground to today. Fighter Pilot faces no easy task giving weight away all round and hardly showed that he retains all of his ability on his recent return at Haydock. Like a lot of Martin Pipe's horses, Anatar has dropped to a favourable mark and cannot be ruled out but Northaw Lad has done little wrong of late and he gets the vote.
Fighter Pilot 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by No Guarantees (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr, 16 ran.
Anatar (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Always behind, 10th of 13, 41l behind Herakles (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Northaw Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4th, jumped left and led last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating So Brash (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Big Max 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden from 8th, every chance approaching 2 out, faded, 6th of 15, 9l behind Le Forezien (11-5) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Son of Greek Myth (USA) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, brief effort 7th, ridden and weakened 9th, 7th of 13, 37l behind Ocean Tide (11-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Montesino 50-1 (11-7) In touch until weakening approaching 2 out, 11th of 15, 27l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Hard N Sharp 4-1 (11-10) Held up rear, headway 8th, weakened 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by The Small Farmer (10-0) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 4th, hit next, mistake 6th, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Romany Dream (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
