made all, jumped right 2nd, driven and narrow advantage last, stayed on strongly under pressure flat
in rear, slow 7th, steady headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, strong progress to challenge leader last, kept on but not match winner flat
held up, in rear and ridden 3 out, lost touch 2 out, well adrift before last, plugged on flat
held up, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden and lost place before last, no extra flat
chased leader, ridden and lost place 3 out, one pace from last
NonRunner
MIGHTY THUNDER carries a penalty for his chasing debut victory over 2m4f on this track where he didn't have much to beat. However, he jumped superbly and will take some beating in that kind of form. Perfect Man, six times a winner over hurdles, makes his debut over fences as he approaches his 10th birthday which doesn't look ideal but he wouldn't have been sent on the long journey unless thought capable of making a successful start. Grand Morning is better over hurdles than these but his three starts over fences have resulted in two pulled ups and a well-beaten last of four so he has questions to answer. Skiddaw Tara made all and battled on strongly in a novices' hurdle over 3m at Carlisle in March while France De Reve scored over timber for Nicky Henderson and has a chaser's pedigree.
Mighty Thunder 11-1 (11-0) Jumped well throughout, tracked leader, led before 3 out, well clear before 2 out, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct beating Farlam King (11-0) by dist, 6 ran.
Grand Morning 14-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off, 9th of 17, dist behind Limited Reserve (10-3) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Perfect Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Behind, ridden 8th, some headway 4 out, soon well beaten, 6th of 11, 35 3/4l behind Potters Hedger (10-8) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
France De Reve (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 8, 14 1/2l behind Yeavering Belle (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Leverock Lass (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Well behind, tailed off and pulled up before 5th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Skiddaw Tara 12-1 (11-3) Made all, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, dived at 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Carlisle 3m 1f (4) sft in Mar beating Glittering Love (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
