jumped badly left, led and clear until after 3rd, headed after next, lost place 7th, well behind from 9th, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leader who was clear until after 3rd, led after next until not fluent 6th, every chance when mistake 4 out, held from next
mistakes, held up in 5th, went 4th 7th, disputing 3rd and held when blundered 2 out
3rd until pressed leader after 4th, led 6th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out
held up in 4th, went 3rd 7th, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, not fluent last, easily
mistakes, held up in last, weakened approaching 4 out
Don McCain's Twentynineblack has shown progressive form over hurdles and could be of interest on his second start over fences having run promisingly at Hexham earlier this month. Gordon Elliott's Wikaala was useful on the flat and over timber and could be an interesting recruit from his in-form stable over the larger obstacles but it is WILLIAM'S WISHES that gets the verdict. The Evan Williams-trained gelding has shown improvement over hurdles and has the highest rating of the six runners over timber so he looks worth chancing first time up over fences. Henry Daly has a good record with his runners here so Laureate Des Loges has to be considered but she is likely to have to settle for minor honours.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Led until 1st, chased winner until before 5th, soon dropped rear, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 14l behind Black Jack Blues (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf.
Potemkin (USA) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind Miss Saffron (10-13) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Twentynineblack (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, left 3rd 6th, joined leaders going well 9th, led 3 out, headed before last, soon ridden, rallied and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Saveiro (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) sft.
Wikaala (USA) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before straight, no extra in 5th before 2 out, left 4th, weakened, 7th of 13, 26l behind Bremen (11-12) at Tipperary 2m beg chs.
William's Wishes (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 23, 13l behind Eradicate (10-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Laureate des Loges (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden approaching last, one pace, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Flower Haven (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
