chased leaders, lost place 3rd, soon behind, ridden 9th, last before 10th, tailed off 12th, plugged on
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, soon behind, went 4th 10th, went 12 lenghts 3rd 13th, closed to within 4 lenghts 4 out, soon no impression
led, clear approaching 5th until 8th, headed after 9th, tracked leader, hit 4 out, ridden after 3 out, challenged last, driven out
chased leader who went clear before 5th until 8th, led after 9th, ridden and hung left after 4 out, edged right approaching last, headed flat, stayed on, held near finish
reluctant to race, took keen hold, chased leading pair 2nd, mistake 4th, weakened 13th, tailed off
in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 6th, stumbled 10th, went remote 4th before 2 out, tailed off
in rear, went 4th 8th until after 10th, well behind 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, ridden after 10th, remote 4th after 13th until before 2 out, mistake last, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
CEDRUS LIBANI can land the hat-trick ahead of Whataboutya and Emotional Article. Our selection was pretty smart when in the care of Howard Johnson before things went awry, but he really seems to have found his niche of late. The gelding's last two starts under rules have both resulted in course and distance wins, with a combined winning margin of 46 lengths. He's probably flattered to some degree by that figure but it'll be disappointing if this nine-year-old can't give the weight away. Several of these rivals contested a course and distance race last time with Whataboutya coming off best under this rider. Jonjo's charge did well that day having been hampered and the feeling is he'll once again prove just too strong for Emotional Article who was back in third. Fairwood Present was a further place back and looks set to be held once more and Orvita was held when unseating this rider, so a bigger threat may emerge from the horse who started favourite for the race, Cheeky Lad. He was backed to score having been in good form in handicaps last summer but he was very reluctant to race and had no chance thereafter. If he consents to jump off, there's every chance this gelding will run a big race. The rest have plenty to find so this race is best left to Cedrus Libani, who deserves to go off a short-priced favourite.
Little Rocker (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Behind, blundered 5th, struggling from 12th, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Bob Hall (12-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Whataboutya (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, badly hampered by loose horse 2nd, soon lost place, headway 7th, slightly hampered by loose horse 10th, switched left and went 2nd 3 out, led last, ridden to assert flat, pushed out towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr beating Distant Thunder (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Emotional Article (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leader 2nd until hampered by loose horse 5th, remained handy, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Whataboutya (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr.
Fairwood Present (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led 13th until before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 28l behind Whataboutya (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr.
Hocinail (FR) (12-0) Led aft 1; wl clr 7; unchall, won at Bonvilston 3m ptp gf in Apr beating Tachbury (12-0) by 20l, 12 ran.
Orvita (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Always in rear, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Whataboutya (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Redskyatnight 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, lost touch and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Shooters Wood (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd, 17 ran.
So Many Questions (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd 14; pu 2 out, in a race won by Ashwell Lad (12-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp, 12 ran.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 4-7 (12-7) Led til hdd 15; ev ch last; nt qckn, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind James Pine (12-7) at Woodford 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Cheeky Lad 5-2fav (12-0) Reluctant to race, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Whataboutya (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
