in rear, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, hampered 7th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, no impression when mistake 2 out
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression
made all, soon clear, ran on
held up, no impression on leaders 3 out, blundered 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up, reminders after 4th, jumped slowly 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled before 2 out
Native Commander has been in good form of late but may struggle to give weight to the whole field and therefore Swings 'n Strings gets the tentative nomination with Gipsy Cricketer one of those who could knock 'em for six at a bigger price if on song. Although no superstar, the selection has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks chalking up two quickfire victories. Those were questionable races (both poor sellers), however you can only beat what is put in front of you and he has won them well. Major Blade is yet to win over fences however he has put in some good efforts of late and shouldn't mind the drop in trip. Young Owen has a modicum of talent but didn't want to co-operate last time out (refused to race, not for the first time) and isn't one for maximum faith. South Sands has claims if bouncing back from a poor recent run, but Swings 'n Strings is in-form and can land the hat-trick.
Native Commander (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to lead 2 out, kept on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Apr beating Wot No Cash (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Gipsy Cricketer 11-2 (10-8) In touch, ridden, mistake and weakened 9th, 5th of 7, 33l behind Elgar (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Major Blade (GER) 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 9th, challenged 2 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Grand Manner (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (4) gf in Apr.
Pavey Ark (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, well behind Gee Aker Malayo (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Swings 'n Strings (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) In touch, led 5 out, hit 2 out and last, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr beating Happy Shopper (11-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
Young Owen 4-1 (11-1) Refused to race in race won by Beechwood (11-1) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (5) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Radbrook Hall 11-2 (11-2) Jumped right, chased leaders, ridden and edged left after 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 8l behind Here Comes Harry (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
South Sands (IRE) 11-4 (10-3) In touch, weakened approaching 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lyon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
