with leader and keen, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway on inside to lead after 3 out, clear when hit last, easily
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened soon after, hit 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th and keen, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 5th, in 3rd and held when weakening and hit last
held up in rear, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, hung right and no impression
mid-division, going well when stumbled badly and lost place 3 out, in rear, rallied after next, stayed on from last
led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Southerness has the form to take some beating here but he took a hefty fall when last seen and his confidence may have been affected, so we'll side with FRED BOJANGALS. Anne Hamilton's gelding improved over fences throughout last season and is rated 125 in that sphere, a figure that should give him excellent claims providing he's fit for action after a break now returned to hurdles. There are dangers aplenty in a competitive opener, perhaps none more so than Bucephalus despite his double penalty. He did well to beat an in-form Irish raider at Perth and won't be inconvenienced by the drop in distance so looks set to rate the benchmark from which to judge the form. Ashammar was outclassed when last seen but must be included in calculations on the basis of his fourth behind Bellvano while Rain Stops Play has a bit to find and may need rain.
Bucephalus (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) In touch, tracked leading pair after 3rd, went 2nd approaching 2 out, driven to lead last, ridden and held on under pressure flat, won at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Nedzer's Return (11-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Ashammar (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Always behind, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Escort'men (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Contradiktive (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped slowly 4th, mistake next, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 21l behind Sircozy (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in touch and keen, tracked leader approaching 4th,challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Noble Request (10-6) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Morning Time (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up, hampered 2nd, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Jewelled Dagger (10-12) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed to go 4th after 5th, hit 7th, went 3rd 2 out, held when left 2nd and mistake last, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Cailin Na Ri (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Southerness 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, headway 4out, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden and strongly challenged when fell last, in a race won by Organisateur (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 15 ran.
Veronicas Boy 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, soon lost place, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Ciceron (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Roi's Last Runner 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 43l behind Freddie Brown (11-2) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gf in May.
