held up, headway after 9th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed and not quicken flat
always towards rear
led 2nd to 7th, led again 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakening when not fluent 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well
led to 2nd, hit 5th, led against 7th to 8th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
With all of the eight runners having their first start of the jumps season this is probably a contest to treat with extreme caution but Always Waining has had the benefit of a recent outing on the level and he gets the vote in preference to Woodlands Genpower and Overserved. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of his rivals and had a progressive profile last term, including on a soft surface, but Alan Parker's gelding is likely to need the run and may be best watched. Irish Legend is another to have had a recent outing on the level so the son of Sadler's Wells should strip fitter for that and will relish the conditions. He holds more solid claims than Sue Wilton's The Flyer, who has not been seen since May. Monger Lane is another with a long absence to overcome and a bigger threat may come from Woodlands Genpower, who improved throughout last season and has claims if fit enough. Fitness should not be a problem for Always Waining though and with ground conditions to suit, he gets the vote.
Mythical King (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 23l behind Mr Cool (10-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gs in May.
Always Waining (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) In touch, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, joined leader 2 out, left well clear last, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb beating Penneeck (11-3) by a distance, 8 ran.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 5-6fav (12-1) Prominent, led briefly 7th, quickened up next, weakened 3 out, 2nd of 9, 22l behind Sunset Light (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Irish Legend (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, smooth headway 7th, led on bit after 3 out, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Mar beating Mini Dare (11-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
Monger Lane 11-4 (11-6) With leader until 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 9th, 6th of 7, well behind Admiral Peary (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in May.
The Flyer (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Behind, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Cherry Gold (10-13) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in May.
Overserved 4-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led flat, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Mar beating Mighty Fine (10-3) by a shd, 13 ran.
Standing Bloom 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 42l behind Hopbine (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Apr.
