mid-division, weakened 10th
held up mid-division, headway 5th, led after 10th, headed after 11th, ridden and one pace
held up mid-division, headway 9th, led after 11th, clear 2 out, ran on
led 1st, soon headed, weakened 6th, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
always in rear, lost touch 5th and pulled up after
always towards rear, mistake 8th (water), pulled up 3 out
in touch, ridden from 10th, stayed on
mid-division, headway 7th, hit 9th, ridden and weakened 3 out
always in rear, lost touch 5th, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, jumped badly right 4th, pulled up after
bolted start and did one circuit, led 2nd, headed after 5th, weakened 10th
in touch, lost place 6th
tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, headed and weakened 4 out
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Foly Pleasant would have solid claims if able to reproduce the form shown when successful at Ludlow at the beginning of the month but the 12-year-old has never been the most consistent of performers and preference is for Viscount Bankes, with Native Daisy rated the best of the rest. The selection belied odds of 33/1 when winning at Ludlow last month but that was on similar ground to today. A respectable second in a point-to-point since then confirms his current good form and the nine-year-old is taken to resume winning ways here. Super Nomad is a consistent performer but does have an absence to overcome and may be best watched today on his return from a year off. Wings of Hope has given no real cause of optimism this term, while River Dante has disappointed of late and may struggle under his penalties. Native Daisy has her ground for her reappearance and cannot be discounted but preference is for the in-form Viscount Bankes who is taken to resume winning ways.
Viscount Bankes 5-2 (11-0) Hdwy 9; ev ch 3 out; no imp flat, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Bell Rock (11-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp frm.
Galway (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) In tch; jnd ldrs 15; went 2nd 2 out; stayed on, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Go For Bust (12-5) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Super Nomad 7-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Seeyaaj (10-2) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar '06.
Wings of Hope (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led to 11; 3rd & outpcd 4 out, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Va Vavoom (11-7) at Higham 3m ptp gd.
Mill Bank (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Tracked leader when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Mouseski (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd, 15 ran.
Foly Pleasant (FR) 80-1 (12-0) fell 1st in race won by Drombeag (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs, 24 ran.
River Dante (IRE) 12-1 (12-7) Prom; led 10-12; wknd 15; bhnd when pulled up in race won by Chita's Flight (11-7) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Native Daisy (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leading pair throughout, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on to lead approaching last, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept '05 beating Celtic Star (9-13) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
