held up, headway 9th, led 2 out, driven out
prominent until 11th, blundered 3 out, jumped badly right 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 11th, 2 lengths 3rd, ridden when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
prominent, jumped slowly 7th, outpaced 11th, stayed on flat
held up in touch, lost place approaching 7th, no danger after
held up in touch, not fluent 8th, soon ridden, behind when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
always behind, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
always behind, tailed off from 9th
with leader, not fluent 1st, led 9th, ridden, headed 2 out, weakened flat
prominent until 7th, tailed off
jumped right, made most until mistake 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, badly hampered and left 3rd 3 out, no extra flat
A good looking race for this time of year with Croix De Guerre, Bronzesmith, Xaipete and Silence Reigns all looking dangers with the vote going to the last named. Ruby Walsh travels from Ireland for a couple of fancied rides but this looks the main hope. A winner at Warwick and Stratford on his last two starts and he still looks fairly treated and looks as though a hat-trick could be on the way. Croix De Guerre ran well to finish second on his reappearance and will improve but has a lump of weight to carry as does Bronzesmith who bids to follow up on his course victory last time out. Xaipete is getting on in years but has an ideal racing weight, has been running well of late and comes good at this time of year so is worth noting. But for the winner we return to Silence Reigns.
Bronzesmith 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf beating Luneray (11-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 5th, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Tigers Lair (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in May.
Saafend Rocket (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up, improved approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Stance (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (D) gf in May.
Rheindross (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Settled 2nd, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, strongly pressed approaching next, stayed on well under pressure, clear when slight mistake last, won at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 gf in May beating Kings Orchard (9-5) by 3 1/2l,.
Silence Reigns 9-4fav (12-4) Mid-division, badly hampered 1st, steady headway from 9th, going well and challenged last, soon led and quickened clear, won at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (H) gd in May beating Coole Glen (12-0) by 6l, 20 ran.
Galway Breeze (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Held up, mistake 2nd, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Pequenita (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in May.
Idealko (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Athnowen (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in May.
Xaipete (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, hit next, mistake 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Idealko (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in May.
