held up, not fluent 5th, effort when bumped 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, closed and went 2nd from 2 out until last, no impression on winner, no extra flat
held up in touch, over jumped 1st, closed from 10th, led after 3 out, 7 lengths clear when not fluent last, just nudged out and took things easy flat
led 1st until 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on flat, no impression
tracked leader, outpaced 12th, bumped 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led until mistake 1st, tracked leader, led 4 out, headed after 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened
in rear, not always fluent, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd last, closed on winner, flattered by proximity
Cloud Creeper ran well in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago, even though he is looking high enough in the weights at present - he may do better under these race conditions. Irish Cavalier won at the Cheltenham Festival in March and twice ran well at the Punchestown Festival later. Seventh Sky was very consistent in his first season over fences and Art Mauresque won three times in the spring, though is upped in class for this. HENRYVILLE was left alone at the second fence in a match at Fontwell last week and only had an exercise gallop. This is a big step up but he developed into a very useful staying hurdler last season and could taken advantage of his hefty weight allowance in this. Shantou Magic has won three of his six races over fences but has also failed to complete twice and his jumping will be tested by these.
Cloud Creeper (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Jumped left at times, held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, headway 4 out, 3rd next, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 8 1/4l behind Oscar Rock (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Close up, 4th after 4th, 2nd approaching straight, every chance 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on same pace run-in,, 2nd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Blood Cotil (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Art Mauresque (FR) 11-10fav (12-0) Made all, challenged 3 out, pressed when left clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 4f (3) gd in May beating Cash And Go (12-0) by 23l, 5 ran.
Seventh Sky (GER) 4-1 (11-7) Led, reminder before 10th, reminders after 5 out, headed 3 out, kept on same pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Top Gamble (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Made all, drew clear from 2 out, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Apr beating Northern Executive (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Henryville 1-9fav (11-4) Tracked leader, left in lead 2nd, finished alone, won at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct
