held up in rear, detached 6th, soon beaten, tailed off
led until 4th, mistake next, led again before 5 out, headed 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, led 4th, headed before 5 out, led again 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure
held up in touch, mistake 4th, chased leaders 4 out, 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, led on bit approaching 2 out, ran on well
chased leaders, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
MICQUUS has got his act together over fences and bids for a hat-trick of course wins having scored over today’s trip before going in again over 2m4f. A conditional’s 5lb allowance reduces a hike in the weights and Seamus Mullins’ charge should confirm latest running with runner-up Champion Chase. Brother Bennett has not been at his best lately but won this off a higher mark last year while Lightentertainment won over 2m at Warwick in December and is preferred to the returning Howlongisafoot over today’s trip. Goonjim had just the one outing last year though won over these fences in 2017.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Never Learn (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Lightentertainment (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up in rear but in touch, slow 5th, soon lost place and in rear, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after next, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Champion Chase (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Led, not fluent 9th, reminders soon after, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Micquus (10-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Micquus (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 2 out, clear next, readily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Champion Chase (11-3) by 16l, 6 ran.
Brother Bennett (FR) 9-4fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 5 out, headway 4 out, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Torrent Des Mottes (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Goonjim (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, struggling 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.