tracked leaders, left 2nd 4 out, ridden 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner when losing 2nd flat
led 1st, headed when not fluent 3rd, led before 6th, in command last, stayed on well
led until slithered on landing, soon in rear and tended to be carefull at the fences, behind from 7th, tailed off
pressed leader from 1st, led 3rd, headed when hit 6th, upsides when fell 4 out
held up, headway 6th, mistake 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, lost place when mistake 7th, rallied after 3 out, hit 2 out, hung right and went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
Only half a dozen are due to face the starter here but it's a cracking little contest. Vino Griego has already run some excellent races over the larger obstacles, including a fourth at last year's Cheltenham Festival. But it's a worry that he's still chasing a first win after 12 attempts. Tour D'Argent, Hildisvini and Kilmacowen are all winners over hurdles, the former finishing ahead of the latter in a Listed handicap at Aintree in April though he was receiving weight. FORGOTTEN GOLD and Well Regarded were always likely to make better chasers than hurdlers being graduates from the point-to-point field. Preference on this occasion is for Tom George's six-year-old who was aimed high after getting off the mark over timber here just under a year ago and should come into his own now.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) In touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 7th, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 19, 47l behind Lovcen (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Hildisvini (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) In touch, not much room after 5th, headway to lead next, driven and headed approaching 2 out, chased leader, stayed on to challenge last, led flat, driven and stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Hawkes Point (11-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Kilmacowen (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd before 2 out where not fluent, went left and not fluent last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Tenby Jewel (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Sep.
Tour D'Argent (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, ridden in mid-division and struggling before 2 out, 10th of 17, 40l behind Gibb River (11-7) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Apr.
Vino Griego (FR) 20-1 (11-4) In touch, tracked leader 6th, led 4 out, narrow advantage when mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 8th of 20, 23l behind Hunt Ball (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Well Regarded (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, behind 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Alpha Victor (10-8) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May, 20 ran.
