mistake 2nd, behind, left 4th and last 5th, struggling 8th, went remote 3rd after 4 out until 2 out, never near leaders, tailed off
held up in 5th when hampered and unseated rider 5th
tracked leader to 9th, soon under pressure, lost remote 3rd after 4 out, regained poor 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led 4 out, drew clear from next, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in 4th when fell heavily 5th
led to 4 out, ridden and outpaced when clear 2nd next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
John Wade has his string in good form and after a re-appearance win his DEUTERONOMY gets the vote. That score wasn't the best display of jumping you'll see but it should bring him on and with a history of acting in the conditions he can find enough improvement to overcome his mark rise. Corlande is looking well-weighted these days and goes well fresh so if he can put in a rare clear round of jumping he looks to have good claims. Jonjo O'Neill's Ayemdee can't be ignored on seasonal debut after he landed a hat-trick of wins over fences before falling when running well on his last start. If he's ready first time his mark is not beyond him and conditions do look perfect. A few in with chances but Deuteronomy looks to have the fitness edge.
Ayemdee (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, went 3rd at 9th until blundered and unseated rider 12th, in a race won by Newbay Bob (10-9) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, blundered 3rd, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd 11th, weakened 13th, no chance when hampered 4 out, well beaten when blundered 2 out, 5th of 6, 35l behind I'm A Legend (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Corlande (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Close 2nd until 3rd, chased leaders, squeezed along after next, reminders after 7th, losing touch 8th, slowed up when hit and unseated rider next, in a race won by Brave Rebellion (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 4 ran.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 11th, shaken up 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Le Platino (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Western Whisky (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out until weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, 40l behind Son Histoire (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Apr.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Prominent, not fluent 1st, led 3 out, driven after next, hit last, joined flat, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Restezen D'armor (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
