made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
in touch, mistake 1st, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
prominent, slipped 2nd, weakened 9th, behind when pulled up 11th
keen and mistakes, left 2nd after 2nd, pushed along and hung left approaching 2 out, no extra flat
in touch, ridden after 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Iris' Gift is selected at prohibitive odds in favour of Mount Karinga . It is understandable as to why Iris' Gift has scared others off but connections have been quite clear in the press that today is about giving him more experience over bigger obstacles. His last run polarised opinion about his merits as a Gold Cup candidate but any punters brave enough to take the juicy odds about that will be hoping he takes a better cut at his fences today. Mount Karinga does not have the pace of the favourite but he is sure to be well schooled. A good second to Vodka Bleu at Cheltenham last year, his jumping was sound and he should go well again. Montgermont last run over hurdles was off a mark of 115. He has always looked a chasing type and will probably be better over further. Stan made short work of a modest field at Hexham. The ground was very fast on that day so the time should be treat with a degree of caution. Irish Raptor is watched in the market while Olney Lad's better performances are on a softer surface. A race to watch rather than punt but Iris' Gift should be up to it.
Iris's Gift 1-2fav (10-13) Close up, hit 3rd, led and blundered 6th, ridden 3 out, hit last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (B) gd in Sept beating Sweet Diversion (11-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
Stan (NZ) 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out, ridden when headed and hit last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind McBain (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd.
Easter Present (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, one pace last, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Rash Moment (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gf in Mar.
Irish Raptor (IRE) Zaffaran gelding, full brother to useful chaser Frantic Tan.
Montgermont (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Kilgowan (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Mar.
Mount Karinga 6-4 (10-13) Held up, hampered 3 out, chased winner 2 out, upsides last, every chance until no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Vodka Bleu (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (B) gd in Nov.
Olney Lad 6-1 (11-11) Made all, ridden when clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Feb beating Dom d'Orgeval (11-3) by 8l, 12 ran.
Silver Dagger 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, weakened next, 11th of 16, 26l behind Wise Tale (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Sept.
