raced keen, jumped right throughout, led, mistake 8th, headed 9th, weakened 3 out, disputing poor 3rd when fell last
tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 4 out
close up to 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
in touch, headway halfway, led 9th, ridden out
raced keen, tracked leaders until weakened 7th
mid-division, hampered 1st, headway 9th to chase leaders, effort 2 out, one pace and 2 lengths down when left 2nd last
blundered and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, pushed along 8th, outpaced 4 out, left poor 3rd last
towards rear, mistake 3rd, outpaced 9th, left remote 4th last
held up towards rear, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden after next, staying on and every chance when blundered and unseated rider last
Minouchka ran with credit under similar conditions at Ludlow last time and has to be respected but the French bred was well held in second place that day and may be flattered by his proximity to the winner so preference is for American President, who gets the vote ahead of Sir Night. The selection showed improved form for racing on a faster surface over hurdles and lost no caste in defeat on his belated chasing bow at Hexham last month on good ground. Back on a faster surface the lightly raced 10-year-old gets the vote to open his account over the larger obstacles. Ton-Chee is capable but is proving to be difficult to win with, while Return Home may want a softer surface. Diamond Jack has given little cause for optimism but comes from a yard that warrants respect. A bigger threat is likely to come from Sir Night, who has been running into form of late but American President has solid claims and he gets the vote.
American President (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led until headed between last 2, ridden and no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-11) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in May.
Diamond Jack (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Behind, not fluent 4th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Arresting (11-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl (5) gs in May, 18 ran.
Nicozetto (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Towards rear, jumped slow 1st, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 37l behind Nounou (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
Return Home 4-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Abraham Smith (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Sir Night (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Majorca (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Ton-Chee 6-1 (11-5) Behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by King Of The Arctic (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May, 10 ran.
Try Me And See 10-1 (12-5) Bhnd til hdwy 13; wknd aft 15; t.o & pulled up in race won by Lady Janal (11-12) at Hexham 3m ptp gd in May, 12 ran.
Minouchka (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, hampered 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 14l behind Rapide Plaisir (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
