hld up, std hdw 10th, drv appr 4 out, styd on flat
sn trkg ldrs, rdn 4 out, wknd 2 out
hld up, rdn and hdw appr 4 out, hit 2 out, e.c last, not qn flat
in tch, hdw 11th, led 4 out, rdn next, hdd and no ex cl home
sn bh, lost tch fr 14th
w ldr, reminders 3rd, rdn 15th, wknd 4 out
led, rdn and hdd 4 out, wknd appr last
hld up, rdn 16th, hdw and hit 4 out, styd on wl to ld cl home
trkd ldrs, rdn appr 9th, wknd wh msk 11th, t.o wh p.u bf 3 out
There will be some tired legs at the end of this stamina sapping feature race. Midnight Gunner is expected to go well off his light weight. A winner over hurdles here in February, he has taken well to chasing, finishing second to Robbo on fast ground at Hereford and then occupying the same position behind Homme De Fer over three miles here last time, with Cassia Heights behind. That was his first outing for six months and he can be fancied to turn the tables on Kim Bailey's charge. Lanmire Tower had his quirks when with Jonjo O' Neill but has not disappointed new trainer Alan King who was pleased with his dead-heat victory with Satshoon at Wincanton, despite the fact that Handyman had the race sewn up when falling. King has big plans for him such as the Topham or Grand National at Aintree, so topweight here should not be a problem. However, Putsometnby can prove a bigger danger and gets the TEAMtalk vote. In form Jonjo O'Neill has a 43 per cent strike-rate here and is sure to have his ex-Irish charge, a winner twice over fences of late, at Kilbeggan and Limerick, primed to do himself justice. The trip is not a worry as he is apparently being aimed at the Irish National, and, still only a six-year-old, can take a step closer to that target by opening his British account.
