led, clever at 5th hit next, pushed along after last (normal 4 out), headed bypassing omitted 2 out, readily outpaced into 3rd bypassing omitted last, just held on for remote 3rd
tracked leading pair, dived at 2nd, went 2nd 8th (3 out), led going well after bypassing omitted 2 out, headed bypassing omitted last, readily outpaced by winner
held up in close touch, went 3rd at 9th (normal 4 out), led on inside bypassing omitted last, quickened readily clear
chased leader, jumped slowly 7th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 10th (normal 4 out)
held up in 4th place on inside, jumped slowly 7th, outpaced 10th (normal 4 out), plugged on extended run-in, almost snatched remote 3rd
NonRunner
FRODON won this last year off a similar weight and Bryony Frost’s ride on her old ally in the Ryanair in March was one of the highlights of last season’s Cheltenham Festival. He faces no easy task giving away lumps of weight to some smart chasers but won’t go down without a fight. Kalashnikov won a Grade 1 novice event over track and trip in April after an unlucky run in the Arkle. He can continue on an upward curve and the rains may have come in time. Born Survivor has gone up 10lb since winning at Ayr in the spring but is another with bags of scope. Forest Bihan has dropped a further pound since his third at Kelso but this trip is beyond his best.
Frodon (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Led, big jump 12th, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to regain lead flat, all out near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar beating Aso (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, close 3rd 4 out, driven to lead narrowly when blundered 2 out, ridden between last 2, 3 lengths clear after last, kept on, all out towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating La Bague Au Roi (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Forest Bihan (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, not much room 3 out, edged left on bend just after, headway before 2 out, went 2nd approaching last until towards finish, one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mcgroarty (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Bigmartre (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Made all, ridden after last, kept on strongly, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Gardefort (11-5) by 16l, 8 ran.
Flying Angel (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 27, 17 1/4l behind Cadmium (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Born Survivor (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, left clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating Sizing Granite (11-6) by 7l, 13 ran.
