tracked leaders, driven to challenge after 3 out, every chance next, led before last, driven out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, hard driven after next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, went 2nd after next, weakened before last
prominent, led 3rd, headed after 6th, hard ridden 3 out, soon lost place
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
led until 3rd, remained prominent, led again after 6th, headed before last, no extra closing stages
Starting odds-on favourite, AQUA DUDE made a crucial blunder at the last when ahead of the field here recently and unseated his rider. He looked all over the winner on that occasion and can make amends with a clear round. Churchtown Champ was below par in Grade 2 company at Haydock last time but should make a race of it on the form of his earlier maiden hurdle win while Present View has done all his winning over fences so far but has a shout if running anywhere near his chasing mark. The remainder will do well to get involved on these terms.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths clear and staying on when stumbled on landing and unseated rider last, at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Churchtown Champ (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, close up 6th, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, no chance with front trio from next, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Jonniesofa (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f (1) hvy in Feb.
Bigpipenotobacee (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway on outside 8f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened, 9th of 15, 21 1/4l behind Sir Antony Browne (10-8) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Cab On Times (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, lost place after 6th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 32 3/4l behind Weyburn (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Midnight Owle 125-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, tailed off next, modest 4th, 4th of 5, dist behind Kilcullen Flem (11-4) at Bangor 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Present View 25-1 (10-10) Reluctant to race and left many lengths, behind, until pulled up after 8th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Sticking Point Needle Gun gelding out of Blue Plaid.
