tracked leaders in 4th, led before 8th, clear 5 out, headed approaching 4 out, soon outpaced
mistakes throughout, held up towards rear and keen, reminders after 7th, never dangerous
held up towards rear, blundered 7th, headway approaching and jumped slow 8th, plugged on from 4 out, took 4th after last, no impression
held up mid-division, headway on outer to tracked leaders approaching 4th, in 4th and held when blundered 2 out, lost 4th place after last
with leaders and keen, led 3rd, headed before 8th, soon lost place, weakened from 5 out, soon pulled up
tracked leader until after 6 out, weakening when hit 5 out
led to 3rd, weakened approaching 5 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 8th, led approaching and blundered 4 out, headed approaching and jumped left 3 out, no impression after 2 out
in rear,headway 5 out, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well
Sue Smith has won this race four times in the past ten years, most recently with Mister McGoldrick in 2007, but it would be something of a surprise were the popular veteran to prevail again. Neptune Equester has improved exponentially since joining Brian Ellison and has had a pipe-opener on the level so should be spot on for this prize but there is a concern about the trip as he steps down from 3 miles. Lease Lend has never finished out of the frame here and is sure to be primed to run a big race but a chance is taken with ACCORDING TO PETE. Things didn't go his way last season when plenty was expected but he's dropped to a decent mark as a result and may bounce back at an attractive price. Frankie Figg disappointed in this race two years ago but made a winning return last term and hails from a yard in top form but few in this line-up can be dismissed.
Mister McGoldrick 7-1 (11-6) Led 3rd until 4th, remained handy, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 13, 13l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Lease Lend 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, struggling 11th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Prince De Beauchene (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Apr.
According To Pete 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 9th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 21, 33l behind Ringaroses (11-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Soulard (USA) 11-8fav (10-12) Led, headed on long run to last, soon ridden and lost place, weakened before last, 6th of 10, well behind Solway Sam (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Led and jumped well, headed narrowly when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Apr, 27 ran.
My Moment (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened after 2 out, hampered after last, 5th of 10, 21l behind Quito Du Tresor (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Star of Germany (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Prominent until ridden 10th, lost place next, struggling when hit 4 out, 12th of 17, well behind Edgbriar (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Qulinton (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Tracked winner, led narrowly 9th, headed 14th, lost place when hit 16th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 43l behind Midnight Chase (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Neptune Equester 6-4 (11-5) Led, not fluent and headed 12th, hit 13th, pushed along after 5 out, regained lead 3 out, soon under pressure, kept on gamely, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Jun beating The Ferbane Man (11-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
