held up in rear, fell 2nd
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 7th, brought wide approaching 4 out, inclined to edge left approaching 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead towards finish
always in rear, headway 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, jumped right 2 out
jumped right, led, ridden approaching last, headed towards finish
prominent, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and edged left approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened after 4 out
chased leader, hampered 2nd, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
Nonrunner
Very Cool is taken to land this race at the expense of Cheer Us On and Charmahal. It is something of a surprise that David Pipe drops Very Cool in trip on a return to the chasing but this progressive stayer over hurdles is rated significantly lower over the larger obstacles and attempts to make it count. A front-runner by nature, the other riders can ill afford to allow him a soft lead. Charmahal wasn't great shakes over hurdles. That said, he has more experience over this trip than most and McCoy rides. Cheer Us On found a switch to hold-up tactics at Bangor against him and it would be no surprise to see a change in emphasis tonight. Keepitsecret is another to attempt to make hay off a lower chasing mark. He did win a bumper on fast ground and is of obvious interest. Barney is watched in the market as his stable are unafraid of taking a punt. Commanche Topgun showed bits and pieces of form for Arthur Moore on this surface and is now in the care of Jimmy Lambe. Guerilla has first time tongue tie. Very Cool is the pick in a fascinating affair.
Cheer Us On 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped right 1st, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Investment Affair (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Very Cool 11-2 (11-2) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Liberate (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Charmahal (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 19, 5l behind Avant Gardiste (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, hung left throughout, led 4th, headed after 8th, beaten when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Mossville (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Barney (IRE) 7-2fav (9-9) Led, ridden 3 out, headed after next, weakened last, 5th of 13, 28l behind Spirit Calling (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Commanche Topgun (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, held up, headway 6th, ridden, weakened after 2f out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind No Greater Love (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Galaxia (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 2nd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, 28l behind Abit Irish (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Ardfry (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Held up, weakened after 7th and pulled up in race won by Master Somerville (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Guerilla (AUS) 14-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden 4th, soon behind, last of 6, well behind Marodima (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
