in touch, went 3rd 7th, chased winner 12th, no impression when weakened to 3rd flat
never travelled or fluent in rear, hit 5th, poor 5th when pulled up before last
well in rear, modest 6th when blundered 3 out, tailed off when tried to refuse last
chased leaders, hit 3rd, led next, clear when blundered 3 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
mistake 1st, mid-division, headway to 4th at 8th, 3rd from 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
towards rear, struggling after 14th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway 13th, went modest 4th 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until weakened 14th, tailed off when refused last
mistake 1st, led until 4th, chased leader until weakened rapidly 6th, pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, not fluent 11th and unseated rider soon after
towards rear, went left 7th, pulled up after 14th
Veteran Distant Thunder has been in good form between the flags this year but will surely struggle to reverse last May's Cheltenham running with Bob Hall on much worse terms. Jonjo O'Neill's 10-year-old hasn't raced since but has won after a lay-off before and was third in this race in 2009. Almaydan could find this trip stretching his stamina around here but there are possibilities about Just Amazing, who has a very talented amateur on board and has won four of his nine starts over fences. He hasn't been seen since finishing tailed off in last year's bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f here last April, however, so we'll take a chance on BOLACHOIR. The nine-year-old has a good record around here and won this under today's rider in 2008. All the better for a recent second at Tyrella, he could be a bit of value today.
Almaydan 9-4 (11-12) With leader, mistake and dropped to rear 6th, reminder next, outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair between last 2, no impression, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Tyup Pompey (9-11) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Bob Hall (IRE) 13-8fav (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge approaching last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in May beating Distant Thunder (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Jaamid 10-1 (12-5) Eff 13; went 2nd app last; nt rch wnr, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Kornati Kid (12-5) at Ampton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Just Amazing (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 17th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 19, 28l behind Church Island (10-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Launde (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Ur 2, in a race won by Up There (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp gs, 15 ran.
Bravery Scotch (IRE) 8-11 (11-0) (cp) hdwy 12; one pce 3 out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp in May.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) (tt) midfield; gd hdwy 3 out; led last; ro wl, won at Ideford Arch 3m ptp gd beating Openditch (12-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Bolachoir (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Ww, steady prog from 3out, sow late, not get to wnr, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Aces And Kings (12-0) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gd in Jan.
Cloud Nine (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Made most until headed after 17th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Turthen (12-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs.
Latalanta (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Raced in rear, headway 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Oscatello (12-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in May, 9 ran.
Soleil Fix (FR) 14-1 (12-7) Prom til fdd app 3 out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Noakarad De Verzee (12-7) at Detling 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Phiroza 12-1 (11-7) Wkng when hmpd 3 out, 12th of 19, 46l behind Bleuvito (12-0) at Chipley Park 3m ptp gd in Jan.
