prominent, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out
prominent when fell 8th
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
chased leader, led 10th, mistake and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last
held up, towards rear, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace
in touch, hampered 8th, headway approaching 4 out, led on bit 2 out, ridden and headed last, ran on flat not pace of winner
hit 1st, held up in mid-division headway on bit 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and led approaching last, ran on gamely flat
mid-division, hampered 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, blundered 6th, hampered 8th, lost place 13th, pulled up before 17th
led to 10th, lost place 14th, pulled up before 17th
held up last, hampered and unseated rider 8th
held up in mid-division, headway after 14th, challenged 4 out, ridden after 3 out, one pace from last
Inca Trail ran a race full of promise on his return at Huntingdon last month and should improve for the run but it is interesting that Ruby Walsh prefers stablemate Red Devil Robert and he is preferred with Iris Bleu and Distant Thunder rated the best of the remainder in an ultra-competitive renewal. The selection showed progressive form last season and while an absence since then is of concern the booking of Ruby Walsh is preference for Inca Trail takes the eye. Duncliffe, like many of these lacks a previous outing this season, but would claims on the pick of his form, while Naunton Brook has more to so than when winning at Towcester last time. Iris Bleu looks to be the pick of Martin Pipe's two runners and ran well on his reappearance last term, while top weight Joly Bey is capable but may be a shade high in the handicap. Windsor Boy is interesting on his first start for Martin Pipe since leaving Eddie O'Grady's yard but a bigger threat is likely to come from Distant Thunder, who showed progressive form last term and could still be on the upgrade. Red Devil Robert has an obvious chance though and is taken to resume winning ways.
Joly Bey (FR) 10-1 (11-1) In touch until weakened 17th, tailed off, 12th of 19, 44l behind Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Duncliffe 7-1 (11-6) Led, slight mistake 7 out, headed 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced after next, kept on under pressure from 2 out, 4th of 8, 8l behind Forget The Past (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 sft in Apr.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up in last pair, steady headway 15th, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb beating Persian Waters (11-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Double Honour (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 15th to 16th, ridden after 5 out, every chance when mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 16, 22l behind Rheindross (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gf in Jun.
Inca Trail (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Behind, headway approaching 13th, every chance when hit last, soon ridden, found nil, 5th of 10, 8l behind Run For Paddy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Red Devil Robert (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, stayed close up, tracking leaders when blundered 4 out, went 2nd under pressure last, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Liverpool Echo (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (B) gd in Apr.
Iris Bleu (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, help up towards rear, mistake and struggling 18th, tailed off, 13th of 19, well behind Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Too Forward (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Behind, headway 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 38l behind Like-A-Butterfly (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Trust Fund (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch, headway approaching 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr beating A Piece Of Cake (11-0) by 17l, 9 ran.
Naunton Brook 4-1 (11-8) Made all, clear from 6th, ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Oct beating Early Start (11-4) by 5l, 7 ran.
All In The Stars (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Behind, hit 9th, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, one pace and no impression last, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Zeta's River (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Mar.
Windsor Boy (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Led, headed before 2nd, tracked leader in 2nd after, ridden when mistake 4 out and dropped to 3rd, soon no impression, poor 5th when fell in race won by Old Flame (10-11) at Listowel 2m nov chs sft in Sept '04, 7 ran.
