led, clear before 4 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on run-in, always held
with leaders, pushed along 7th, went 2nd briefly before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
patiently ridden in rear, well off the pace, smooth headway before 4 out, soon tracking leader, led before and 2 lengths up when blundered badly and pecked on landing last, soon ridden, held on cleverly towards finish
with leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden after 5 out, kept on from 2 out, one pace
chased leading trio, pushed along after 5 out, soon weakened
DONTPAYTHEFERRYMAN was second in a couple of tries over fences at Sedgefield around this time last year. He's been much improved over hurdles and on the all-weather lately and, though he'd prefer a softer surface, there may be just enough give in the ground for him to open his account over the larger obstacles today. The danger is probably Montoya's Son, who has to give 7lb to the selection but has jumped well in both starts over fences so far and ran out a very easy winner at Carlisle last month. King In Waiting has more scope than Petrosian but just as interesting is Mickmacmagoole, who has won eight times over hurdles but was occasionally a little clumsy and is jumping fences rather late in life.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 8-13fav (10-7) Made most, jumped badly left early, ridden and pressed from 4 out, driven last, in command when eased near finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Apr beating Currahee (10-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Tatispout (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
King In Waiting (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Led to 3 out, ridden and weakened last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Lord Villez (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Mar.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 5th, led next, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra flat, last of 5, 8l behind Pure Faith (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Petrosian 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 5th, pushed along 6th, headed 7th, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 9th of 11, 19l behind Heavenly Chorus (10-13) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
