tracked leaders, left 4th when hampered 4 out, ridden and outpaced before next, soon no chance with leaders, left moderate 3rd 2 out
held up in rear, struggling 7th, tailed off 4 out, left remote 4th 2 out
in touch, headway to join leaders 4 out, led narrowly before next, driven when left 15 lengths clear 2 out, unchallenged after
held up in touch on outside, headway to join leaders 4 out, virtually upsides and every chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
disputed lead until fell 4 out
made most to before 3 out, soon outpaced in 3rd, no chance with front pair when left 2nd next
MULLIGAN'S MAN was in great form over hurdles last summer and also won a point-to-point and a bumper last year. He hasn't been seen since finishing well beaten in a Grade 2 at Chepstow in October but should be ready for this and can make a winning start over fences. Le Bacardy has done well since joining Tony Carroll and should pay his way over the larger obstacles while Able Deputy should improve on his second at Towcester. Lemon Drop Kid will be suited by this sharp track and is preferred to Sporting Boy and Synthe Davis of the others.
Able Deputy 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden, 6 lengths down and no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Majorica King (10-7) at Towcester 2m mdn chs (5) gd in Apr.
Carbis Bay 100-1 (10-12) Held up, fell 8th, in a race won by Victor Leudorum (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Le Bacardy (FR) 40-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, one pace from last, 9th of 22, 16l behind Cockney Sparrow (9-9) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Lemon Drop Red (USA) 8-1 (11-10) In touch in 5th, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged and hit 3 out, every chance when hit last, no extra flat, lost 3rd final 100 yards, weakened to 5th close home, 5th of 11, 5l behind Scoglio (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Mulligan's Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in 6th, steady headway approaching 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 25l behind Wonderful Charm (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Oct.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden after 7th, one pace from 4 out, mistake last, 4th of 8, 11l behind King Spirit (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chase (4) gd.
Synthe Davis (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, led after 10th, clear 3 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Lost Legend (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Apr.
