prominent, mistake 1st, chased leaders 14th, every chance 2 out, stayed on well
soon led, headed 3rd, remained prominent, under pressure when hampered and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, lost place before 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 16th
always behind, pulled up before last
in touch, led 10th, challenged from 3 out, kept on well under pressure
always towards rear
prominent, led 3rd, headed 9th, every chance last, weakened flat
prominent, not fluent 12th, soon under pressure and lost place
prominent, led 3rd, headed after 9th, remained prominent, weakened before 2 out
pulled hard early and in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, soon driven and one pace
held up mid-division, behind from 10th
held up towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
held up towards rear, behind when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, under pressure 13th, soon beaten
behind, never dangerous
Irish point-to-point winner SIMONSBERG belied market odds when making a winning rules debut in good fashion when beating Rowdy Yeats at Perth last month and he is taken to follow up here, getting the verdict ahead of Bob Bites Back and Hartburn. The last mentioned has been in good form in points and transferred that over to rules when successful at Carlisle last month and she has to be respected. King's Wood won a decent looking hunter chase at Exeter well enough last time and he has every chance of completing a five timer having won three starts in points prior to that Exeter success. Worship The Stars has been in similarly good form between the flags and is another to consider along with Oopsmylord, who was outclassed behind Mr Ed at Cheltenham last time. Bob Bites Back has won two points since his success at Chepstow last month and he has every chance of making it six on the bounce today but there was plenty to like about the way that Simonsberg won at Perth last month and he can win again.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) Evens2 (12-7) Led 10-11; led 14; pushed out, won at Lower Machen 3m ptp beating Catchthebug (12-0) by 1l, 3 ran.
Cash In Hand (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden 15th, hit 4 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Holly Walk (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f Handicap Hunters Chase (0-125) (5yo+) (3) gs.
Celestial Dragon (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) In tch to 14; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Virginia Preuil (12-0) at Paxford 3m ptp in Apr, 8 ran.
Charming Knight (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 3 out; drvn to ld cl home, won at Overton 3m ptp in Feb beating Knocknaboul King (12-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Dennis The Legend 13-8fav (10-5) Held up, reminders after 7th, headway 12th to track leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, hung left after last, switched right and ran on well to lead near finish, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Sea Wall (11-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Grey Kid (IRE) 2-5 (12-7) Ap; led 11; rdn out, won at Lower Machen 3m ptp beating Wishwillow Magic (12-7) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Hemington 5-4 (12-0) Stdy hdwy 14; chsd wnr 2 out; nt qckn, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Fifty Yearson (12-0) at Woodford 3m ptp in Apr.
King's Wood (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) In touch, nudged along 11th, led 4 out, went right last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m hts chs (5) gd beating Kisha King (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Newbay Bob 16-1 (11-7) Soon chasing leader, lost 2nd after 13th, 2nd again 19th to 22nd, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Mr Ed (12-1) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Oopsmylord (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 13th, jumped right 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 35l behind Mr Ed (12-1) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Rockwithacaveman (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 2nd until next, led 9th to 14th, led 16th, ridden after 4 out, headed last, not pace with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Le Duc (12-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) gf.
Royal Crystalcadou (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leader til 6th, outpaced 5 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 1l behind The Baillie (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Simonsberg (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, led 3 out, driven clear from next, won at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Rowdy Yeats (11-7) by 16l, 12 ran.
Thirtytwo Red (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Always behind, 6th of 13, well behind Worship The Stars (11-7) at Bangor 3m nov hts chs (6) gd.
Worship The Stars 5-2fav (11-7) Held up, chased leaders 9th, led on approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Bangor 3m nov hts chs (6) gd beating Cash In Hand (11-7) by 13l, 13 ran.
Hartburn 10-3 (10-12) Towards rear, headway to lead 12th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Carlisle 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Garden Feature (10-12) by 17l, 10 ran.
