held up in rear, not fluent 14th, outpaced from 16th, well behind 3 out
tracked winner until 4th, chased leaders, hampered 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, closed 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened after 2 out, mistake last
tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next, lost 2nd last, one pace
made all and set steady gallop, clear from 2 out, not fluent last, easily
mid-division, jumped right 8th, lost place next, blundered 10th, mistake 14th, headway before 4 out, no chance with winner when trying to challenge for 2nd before last, 4th and one pace flat
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no extra before last
held up in rear, still 7th and not yet asked for effort 2 out, headway before last, soon went 2nd, no chance with winner
prominent, went 2nd 4th, every chance when fell 3 out
This prize has been won by some illustrious names in the past and FOUNDRY SQUARE can join them tonight. The eight-year-old showed ability under Rules for Nigel Twiston-Davies prior to joining Steve Flook, and he confirmed himself very much in contention for this prize with a convincing success at Fakenham. Paint The Clouds will be popular with Sam Waley-Cohen aboard and he dotted up at the course recently despite racing too keenly throughout. Pearlysteps was not disgraced in defeat to Universal Soldier at Cheltenham and if further rain came he would have very obvious claims. Vital Plot would have got closer at Punchestown had he not blundered at the last, and having scored by a distance on his previous start between the Flags he's one to note in the market.
Bermuda Boy (FR) 7-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Swallows Delight (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp hts chs (4) gf, 8 ran.
Certain Flight (IRE) 2-9 (12-7) Made all; v easy, won at Devon & Somerset Staghounds 3m ptp gd beating Kostaquarta (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Current Exchange (IRE) 2-1 (11-13) Mid-division, tracked leaders 16th, led narrowly after 3 out, ridden next, headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Doctor Kingsley (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Foundry Square (IRE) 4-5fav (12-4) Held up, headway after 10th, not fluent 12th, led 4 out, driven clear flat, ran on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (6) gd beating Rossmore Lad (11-9) by 7l, 5 ran.
Paint The Clouds 8-15fav (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led 4 out, clear soon after 3 out, very easily, won at Stratford 2m 7f hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Bermuda Boy (11-5) by 19l, 7 ran.
Pearlysteps 2-1fav (11-13) Always prominent, led 15th, headed 5 out, went right 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Universal Soldier (11-10) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Rosies Peacock 1-2 (12-7) Ap; led 2 out; lft wl clr last, won at Pembrokeshire 3m ptp gs beating Coosan Lad (12-0) by 30l, 3 ran.
Shoreacres (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake 8th, headway chasing leaders 10th, went 2nd 12th, led 14th, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner, trying to rally when hung left run-in, switched right and no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Lake Legend (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hts chs (6) gf.
Vital Plot (USA) 11-1 (12-0) Settled towards rear, progress after halfway and went 4th 6 out, closed to challenge 3 out, pushed along and no impression on winner when blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 20l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f hnt chs.
Start Royal (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Led until not fluent 11th, led 13th, clear 4 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hts chs (6) gd beating Double Dizzy (11-3) by 25l, 7 ran.
