left disputing lead 1st, led 2nd, headed 4th, soon led again, headed after 12th, no extra last
chased leaders, inconvenienced and bumped 1st, closed 3 out, led 2 out, shaken up and asserted flat
led, tried to refuse and unseated rider 1st
not fluent, held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway when mistake 10th, outpaced 3 out, no impression when fell 2 out
left in lead 1st, headed 2nd, led 4th, soon headed, mistake 9th, led after 12th, headed 2 out, held by winner flat
Royal Pretender was in good form over hurdles around this time last year and will have learned plenty from his chasing bow in the spring. Kinondo Kwetu is on a five-timer but will have to defy a further 7lb rise. The mare Tequila Blaze is the senior runner in this and one of three having a first run over fences. Scipion is another but he has point-to-point experience and won a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in March. MUMBO JUMBO has yet to win a race but chasing should be his game and he was fourth in a very competitive Grade 3 novices’ handicap at Sandown on his final start over hurdles.
Scipion (IRE) 1-4fav (11-8) Chased leader, went right on bend after 3rd, pushed along home turn, mistake 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly approaching last, went clear flat, won at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) gs in Mar beating Phantom Getaway (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Kinondo Kwetu 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, travelling well 2 out, quickened to lead at the last, came easily clear, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Farouk De Cheneau (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Royal Pretender (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, slow 3rd, not fluent 6th, went 4th 12th, soon pushed along, 3rd before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Broken Quest (12-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
Tequila Blaze 9-1 (10-5) Raced wide, chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 2nd, mistake 6th, bad mistake next, weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, hit 3 out, headway out wide chasing leaders before 2 out, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 17, 7 1/4l behind Complete Unknown (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
