prominent and jumped left, led 2nd to 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 8th, led 15th, ridden approaching last, hung left flat, headed post
chased leaders, lost place and hit 10th, soon behind
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, soon lost place, effort 15th, soon behind
behind, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, ran on to lead post
mid-division, pecked 10th, headway 16th, weakened 18th
in touch to 16th, soon weakened
held up, headway 12th, lost place 15th, rallied 4 out, stayed on flat
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 15th
led to 2nd, tracked leader, jumped right from 13th, lost place 15th, weakened 17th
Curtins Hill can prove too good for Tom's Prize, with Bright Approach and Heart Midoltian others for the short-list. The first two mentioned have both advertised their claims with recent victories, and with Tony McCoy in the plate, it is Curtins Hill that gets our vote. The Tom George-trained 11-year-old stayed on really well when winning over slightly shorter at Exeter in April, and a slight rise in the weights should not bother him. Tom's Prize stayed on well when making most at Wetherby last time, and a similar effort should see him go close, although he has topweight to overcome this time. Bright Approach is a course winner who needs to improve on his Sedgefield effort, while Heart Midoltian took on Tikram and co at Sandown and must not be ruled out, given his trainer. Curtins Hill has the best recent form though and is the pick.
Tom's Prize 11-1 Made most, ridden and headed between last 2, rallied to lead again last, stayed on gamely, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr beating Jaoka du Gord by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Curtins Hill (IRE) 4-1jt-fav Held up, headway from 8th, pressed leader approaching 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Apr beating Ile de Paris by 4l, 7 ran.
Ballyvaddy (IRE) 4-1 Held up in rear, mistake and reminder 10th, jumped slowly next, soon lost touch, last of 8, 22l behind Ankles Back at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Mar.
Bright Approach (IRE) 9-2 Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 44l behind Prince of Slane at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Moving Earth (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no further impression, 6th of 11, 13l behind Benrajah at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gf in Apr.
Heart Midoltian (FR) 20-1 Not always fluent, behind, some headway and just in touch 11th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 14, 37l behind Tikram at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Apr.
Make Haste Slowly 16-1 Always behind, 8th of 10, 39l behind Zaffamore at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Tribal Dancer (IRE) 16-1 Led, clear early, headed after 4 out, 6th next, kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 25, 17l behind Monterey Bay at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Apr.
