prominent, led 2nd, drew clear 3 out, mistake next, stayed on well
chased leaders, jumped left 1st, effort 2 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on under pressure
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, some late headway, never dangerous, tailed off
behind, mistake 1st, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
always in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led, jumped right 1st, headed next, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, hampered 1st, weakened 4 out, tailed off
GUMBALL is a different league to his seven rivals here on the evidence so far. The grey hasn’t won since October but, after pulling up in the Triumph Hurdle, produced a decent run in a Grade 1 at Aintree 12 days ago behind We Have A Dream. He does have to give weight to older rivals Saxo Jack and Zalvados but is rated more than 20lb higher than the latter, a fair seventh in the Betfair Hurdle in February when last seen. Veiled Secret is improving with experience but may have to wait a little longer before opening his account over timber.
Gumball (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway from 6th, chase winner before 2 out, no impression last, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 7l behind We Have A Dream (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Saxo Jack (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, slow 3rd and 5th, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 37 1/4l behind Magic Dancer (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Zalvados (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, 6th and weakening when blundered last, 7th of 24, 23 3/4l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Blackjacktennessee 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, closed 4th, ridden before next, soon weakened, well behind 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Broughtons Admiral (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Daily Trader 12-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened final 2f, eased final furlong, 9th of 10, dist behind Nordic Combined (9-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Involve 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Notre Ami (11-7) at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Veiled Secret (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Jumped right on occasions, led, went right 2nd, went right and hit 3 out, went right and headed 2 out, chased winner, well held when blundered last, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Michael's Mount (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Katebird (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Hajaam (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
