led, ridden and headed after last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 10th, kept on to chase winner run-in, held towards finish
tracked leader, led after last, kept on
in rear, weakened before 5 out
SAVED BY JOHN has always looked like a chaser in the making and jumped well enough when scoring by 11 lengths on his fencing bow at Uttoxeter. He's fancied to follow up here as though Russian War was a much better hurdler Gordon Elliott's nine-year-old has been less impressive over the larger obstacles and has been a beaten favourite three times in a row. Winning pointer Merry Minster should have a future under Rules while Wave Power made a decent start over fences over C&D earlier this month and preferred to the returning Wikaala of the others.
Saved By John (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Jumped well, led 1st, clear 3 out, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd beating Glen Countess (10-7) by 11l, 5 ran.
Russian War (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Raced in 4th, went 3rd after 4 out, hung badly left after 3 out and dropped to poor 4th, last of 4, 41l behind Shakervilz (11-3) at Kilbeggan 3m hdl gs in May.
Wave Power (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after last, headed 2f out out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Flinty Bay (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f beg chase (5) hvy.
Wikaala (USA) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leader until 2nd, in touch, ridden after 2 out, found nil, 4th of 5, 16l behind Toshi (11-12) at Perth 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Jun '11.
Merry Minster 7-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, led not fluent 7th or 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Hannah Jacques (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd.
