in rear, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, ran very wide bend into straight, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner soon after 3 out, no impression
made all, hit 5th and 3 out, clear when hit last, unchallenged
tracked winner until soon after 3 out, kept on one pace
not jump well, in touch, slow first, nearly unseated rider next, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
always in rear, behind from 4 out
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, weakened 4 out
This could develop into a match between Kings Lodge and SERTAO, with narrow preference for then latter despite the fact that he's returning from a break and making his debut over hurdles today. Tim Vaughan's gelding was all out to land a Ffos Las bumper in March but runner-up Mike Towey has won twice since so the form looks decent. Kings Lodge was second to previous winner Gallox Bridge on his reappearance at Uttoxeter and has obvious claims but Jackson Cage has a bit to prove after only beating one home at Aintree last month.
Cavite Eta (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, plugged on final 2f, never a threat, 4th of 12, 29l behind Sin Bin (11-1) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Jackson Cage (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, lost place when not fluent 8th, no impression 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Barbatos (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Kings Lodge 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out until before next, chased winner again last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Gallox Bridge (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Middlebrook (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, jumped left 1st, lost place after 3rd, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by No Planning (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Sertao (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, challenged 4f out, went 2nd 2f out, strong challenge and edged left close home, led post, won at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (5) sft in Mar beating Mike Towey (11-4) by ns, 8 ran.
Teals Star 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, hampered 4th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 13, well behind King Zeal (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Crumble 100-1 (10-2) In rear, ridden halfway, never on terms, 8th of 11, 45l behind Sydney Paget (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs.
My Rainbow City 200-1 (10-5) In rear, outpaced 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Vintage Star (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs, 9 ran.