held up, ridden 9th, effort approaching 4 out, one pace
towards rear, landed 1st, chased leader and hit 7th, weakening when mistake 8th
led to 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened 8th, fell 9th
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, headed soon after last, no extra
mid-division, ridden headway approaching 4 out, one pace
chased leader, led after 3rd, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, every chance 2 out and last, kept on flat but not pace of winner
in touch, smooth headway 4 out, challenged and jumped left 3 out, with leaders 2 out, led soon after last, driven out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
It can be worth chancing a small investment in Brave Villa, who gets the nod over Coach Lane, Stoway and Guymur. The last named has given the impression that he is not the most straightforward character and needs to be kidded along in his races. However, he has ability and, as he goes well fresh, he should be capable of going close at this level. As should Stoway, who got off the mark in good style last time out. Top weight may not be an unbearable burden in this company and support for Alan King's charge should be noted with interest. Coach Lane will appreciate any give underfoot and with his fitness now topped up, he can give the selection plenty to think about. However, Brave Villa - a game winner at Warwick 17 days ago - is fancied to carry on where he left off. The eight-year-old has been the model of consistency and is taken to defy his latest rise up the ratings.
Stoway (FR) 9-2 (10-11) With leaders, blundered 8th, jumped badly right 11th, led after next, jumped right 2 out, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May beating First Fought (10-11) by 4l, 7 ran.
Free Gift 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 15l behind Kelrev (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Offemont (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, clear 7th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Brave Villa (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-7) Chased leaders, struggling 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten when hit 2 out, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Bleu Superbe (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf.
Coach Lane 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 4th and 11th, headway 14th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 13, 16l behind Which Pocket (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Brave Villa (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, led close home, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Letalus (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Letalus (GER) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, every chance last, ridden flat, not run on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Brave Villa (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Star Antique (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, setlled behind leaders until steadily lost place after 3rd, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 24l behind dhtrs Penzance (11-4) & Arcalis (11-10) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gf in Apr.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until outpaced 4 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Pauntley Gofa 12-1 (11-8) In rear, headway before 6th, blundered 7th, soon lost place, behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Major Euro (10-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Guymur (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Held-up, in touch, not clear run on bend approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, no impression and soon switched right, 6th of 7, 20l behind Incorporation (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in May.
