chased clear leading pair until soon after 4 out, soon struggling
held up in 4th until before 5th, struggling when mistake next, tailed off
led until 2nd, pressed winner, led again before next where not fluent, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner
tracked leader, led 2nd, narrowly headed before next, pushed along after 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
held up in rear, went modest 4th soon after 4 out, poor 3rd after next
held up off the pace in 5th, went 3rd before mistake 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
unruly to post, always in rear, mistake 3rd, struggling next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
Titch Strider won over the trip at Wincanton last month but that was her 15th start over hurdles and she faces a stiff task here under a penalty against OTTO THE GREAT. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old has gone close in much better company over timber and landed a novice chase at Doncaster in February. He should open his account over the smaller obstacles today as it looks like No Loose Change, another winning chaser, is having a confidence-booster before tackling some of the summer's big handicaps over fences. Carolingian has hinted at ability but will probably need more time.
Actodos (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on outside to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 37l behind The Bay Bandit (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Captain Jinx (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, closed 10f out, lost place over 6f out, well beaten final 5f, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Roll On Ruby (10-10) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
No Loose Change (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, slow 4th and 6th, soon lost place, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Triolo D'Alene (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Otto The Great (FR) 4-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led narrowly approaching 3 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, no impression when lost 2nd post, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gold Ingot (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Titch Strider (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, challenged last, led and edged left flat, soon hung right, ran on, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May beating Little Eaglet (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Carolingian (USA) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, 6th and beaten when mistake next, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Vexillum (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Dartbridge (IRE) Norwich mare out of Laurenca's Girl.
