mid-division, lost place 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, reminders 7th, headway 4 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd before last
held up, behind when hampered 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, left in lead 4th, blundered 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, clear from next, eased run-in, comfortably
held up, some headway 10th, never dangerous
led to 3rd, lost place 7th, soon behind
held up, tailed off 8th, blundered and pulled up next
tracked leader, led 3rd until unseated rider next
tracked leaders, reminders 2nd, headway 7th, well behind when refused 2 out
Phildari may be able to land this contest despite his long absence whilst the in-form trio of Kimoe Warrior, Tipp Topp and Public Esteem all have to be considered. Fitness is rarely an issue for runners from the Twiston-Davies yard so it's of little concern that the selection hasn't been seen since winning here in the spring of 2006. He is 7lbs higher than when winning that day but has proved competitive from higher marks in his prime and he's been found a reasonable opening for his return to action. Tipp Topp won impressively at Fakenham last time but he was fortuitous that day and this looks tougher. He usually holds his form well for a while though and can have a say in the outcome. Kimoe Warrior battled on gamely at Huntingdon but the handicapper doesn't appear to have taken kindly to that and he has no easy task from his revised mark. Public Esteem is unexposed and won a selling hurdle on debut for this yard very easily last time but he is 10lbs higher and tackling fences for the first time so can be taken on. Eumene posted a better effort last time and rates a mention as does Nesotho but we'll take Phildari to make a triumphant return to action.
Nesotho (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, weakened after 15th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Even More (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Do L'Enfant d'Eau (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, outpaced when hit last, 4th of 15, 16l behind Nirvana Swing (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Eumene (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, close up 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tranos (11-8) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Phildari (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-0) Made all, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr '06 beating Good Outlook (11-2) by 15l, 11 ran.
Public Esteem (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) In touch, headway after 8th, led after 9th, ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at N Abbot 3m 3f ldy hcp hdl (5) sft beating Three Lions (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Vital Spark 6-1co-fav (11-0) In rear, hampered 1st, not fluent 4th, ridden and struggling 8th, losing touch 11th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Kingfisher Niamh (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Kimoe Warrior 18-1 (9-9) Held up, headway after 3 out, led flat, edged right, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May beating More Trouble (10-12) by 1l, 15 ran.
Tipp Top (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Close up, mistake 5th, chased leader 6th, mistake 9th, ridden to lead after 2 out, driven out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May beating Log On Intersky (9-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Silver Dagger 18-1 (9-11) Chased leaders to 5th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 11 ran.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Led, headed after 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 14, 21l behind Even Flo (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Romney Marsh 25-1 (10-0) In touch, went 3rd from 4th, one pace, no chance from 4 out, 3rd of 11, 35l behind Massini Sunset (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
