tracked leaders, challenged 7th, not fluent next, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden clear 2 out, comfortably
led until 7th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 4 out, jumped right and no impression 2 out
Nonrunner
Blue Hills has been rolling back the years lately, winning three of his last four. He's gone up a further 7lb since scoring at Fontwell, however, which means he is now giving weight to KNAPP BRIDGE BOY. James Payne's veteran ground out a 10-length victory over C&D in April and though unseating Liam Treadwell here last time was taking on better company and racing from out of the handicap. This looks much easier. Zhukov is also a C&D winner but, like Tuskar and Escardo, lacks a recent outing.
Zhukov (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Behind, mistakes 9th and next, blundered and nearly unseated rider 13th, blundered 16th, blundered and unseated rider 17th, in a race won by Masked Man (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Blue Hills 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, clear before last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Shropshirelass (10-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Knapp Bridge Boy 9-2 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, ridden 9th, mistake and weakened 3 out, mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Dean's Grange (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Tuskar (USA) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chesil Beach Boy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Escardo (GER) 13-2 (9-13) Held up 4th and last, blundered 9th, soon lost touch, went remote 3rd near flat, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Fine Lace (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
