not fluent, always in rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression on winner before last
mostly jumped well, led after 1st, kept on gamely from 3 out, driven out
held up in last trio, headway 3 out, went 4th next, no impression
in touch, lost place and in last pair 9th, never on terms after, tailed off when hit last
chased leaders, went 3rd 4 out until next, weakened 2 out
led until after 1st, chased winner until ridden 12th, lost place soon after, weakened before next, soon tailed off
held up in touch, went 4th before 4 out, ridden and went 3rd next, no impression
Rateable Value won this last year and can go close again as he's only 2lb higher, while River Indus also scored at this track last year and could figure on his return to action. Rigadin De Beauchene beat the re-opposing Magot De Grugy at Hereford before disappointing last time but the lightly-raced MORTIMERS CROSS makes more appeal, despite an 11lb rise for last month's win over these fences. Not So Sure Dick has been raised 3lb for finishing second at Wincanton last time but that came in better company than this. George Baker's charge would go very close here on that evidence but did have an alternative engagement at Kempton yesterday.
Peplum (FR) 25-1 (10-6) Always behind, 8th of 14, 30l behind Cruchain (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Rigadin De Beauchene (FR) 3-1fav (10-9) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, went 4th 3 out, no impression when went right 2 out, no extra soon after, 5th of 10, 19l behind Only Vintage (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Mortimers Cross 7-2 (11-5) Led until before 2nd, led 5th, not fluent 15th, drew clear from 3 out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Huckleberry (9-11) by 19l, 7 ran.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased clear leaders, left 2nd behind clear winner before 10th, demoted to 3rd after 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Marodima (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, mistake 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Niceonefrankie (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leading trio until dropped to rear before 6th, never going after, plugged on to take poor 4th closing stages, 4th of 6, 19l behind Overnight Fame (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
River Indus 10-11 (11-1) Led rival, joined briefly after 5 out, shoved along and headed 2 out, soon ridden, held flat, last of 2, 1 3/4l behind American World (11-5) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) fm in Apr.
Rateable Value 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 13th, challenged 4 out, hit next, no impression flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Ceepeegee (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, led 10th, headed approaching 3 out, switched left after last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Hunt Ball (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
