in touch, hampered 11th, jumped slowly 13th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 10th, hampered next, ridden after 4 out, weakened and jumped right after 3 out
towards rear, hit 9th, slightly hampered 11th, no chance when hampered last
held up, headway approaching 10th, badly hampered next, hit 13th, weakened 15th, 7th and no chance when fell last
prominent, led 3rd to 6th, pushed along and lost place after 9th, towards rear when pulled up before 10th
in touch, led 6th, mistake 8th, fell 11th
led to 3rd, prominent until weakened 4 out
prominent, hit 8th, lost place 9th, headway 11th, led 15th, ridden 3 out, not fluent last, ran on
prominent, left in lead 11th, headed 15th, ridden 2 out, every chance last, ran on
in touch, close up when pulled up and dismounted before 10th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Garde Bien, Manx Royal and Mister Friday are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Garde Bien. The selection won well last time out when beating Flight Command and although having a penalty for that win he won in the style of an improver and is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Manx Royal rates the main danger on his latest second behind Arrayou but that form has since been let down and he looks vulnerable under top weight. Mister Friday has conditions to suit but all his best form of late has been in hunter chases and for that reason he has been opposed. Rare Society would have place claims on his best form but ran as if in the handicappers grip last time out. Hawks Landing is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with and looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder Celtic Lord has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Garde Bien.
Manx Royal (FR) 5-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd 2 out, no impression when pecked last, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Arrayou (10-10) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd.
Mister Friday (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Confidently ridden, held up, headway 13th, soon chasing leading pair, led last, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in May beating No Retreat (12-3) by 9l, 7 ran.
Hawk's Landing (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up, headway 7th, went 2nd 14th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bang And Blame (10-5) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Rare Society (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway under pressure when blundered 3 out, no further progress, 6th of 11, 9l behind Field Roller (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf.
Garde Bien 6-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden and blundered 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in May beating Flight Command (11-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
Stack The Pack (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, 2nd when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Silver Dagger (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 10 ran.
Barren Lands 13-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Maidstone Monument (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Celtic Blaze (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 3 out, chased leader next, led flat, ridden and hung left flat, headed, no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Totally Scottish (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f clm hdl (5) hvy in May.
