blundered 1st and 2nd, always in rear
behind, headway from 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
with leaders when bump 1st, led after 3rd until blundered and unseated rider 5th
led, carried left 1st, headed after 3rd, left in lead 5th, blundered 8th, soon ridden, headed 4 out, weakened quickly after 3 out
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, ridden to lead flat, headed post
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased winner 3 out until last, weakened towards finish
mid-division, ridden from 6th, soon struggling, behind when stumbled 8th
mid-division, headway 8th, stayed on same pace from 4 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, behind from 7th, blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened 2 out
in rear, mistake 4th, reminders 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Be Positive ran promisingly on his chase debut at Newton Abbot last month and has to be respected on that evidence but he may struggle to give weight and a beating to Will The Till who is preferred with Olival looking the pick of the remainder. The selection was capable on the flat and after just three starts over hurdles showed improved form when chasing home Tora Petcha at Ludlow on his handicap debut when last seen in April. The Evan Williams-trained gelding tackles fences for the first time today and may be worth chancing given the form of the stable and favoured fast ground. Bee Hawk was good value for his win at Bangor last time but has more to do off his new mark now, while Albarino could probably do with some help from the handicapper. A market move for Peter Winkworth's Nobel Bleu De Kerpaul would be of interest, while David's Symphony ran well at Towcester last time but may want a softer surface. Jonjo O'Neill's Olival is less exposed than most of these but looks to be one of the lesser lights in the stable and preference is for Will The Till to give Evan Williams another winner.
Be Positive 16-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led 9th, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and headed, hit last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Blandings Castle (10-2) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Will The Till 5-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on and edged left and led briefly flat, no extra, 2nd of 5, nk behind Tora Petcha (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Beehawk 12-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 12th, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Sparkling Taff (10-7) by 5l, 13 ran.
Sturbury 5-1 (11-10) Held up, hampered and mistake 3rd, never travelling after, went badly right 5th and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Blandings Castle (10-2) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
Albarino (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up, headway when hampered 7th, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Blandings Castle (10-2) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Olival (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-8) Led, headed and mistake 9th, soon ridden, hit next, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 24l behind Blandings Castle (10-2) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
David's Symphony (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Led, headed 3rd, led again approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Rawaabet (11-0) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) sft in May.
Artic Reason (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Led, hit 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, 3 lengths 2nd when mistake and left clear last, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in May beating Quizzling (9-12) by 17l, 12 ran.
