took keen hold, held up in rear, closer in 4th after 6th, 3rd before 3 out, one pace before mistake next
raced wide in last pair, weakened 8th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, held up in 4th until after 6th, weakened, tailed off when blundered 8th, pulled up before next
tracked leading pair, hampered and stumbled 2nd, 2nd before 3 out where not fluent, about 1 length down when mistake last, one pace run-in
never that fluent, tracked leader, not fluent 1st, went left 5th, not fluent next, hit 7th, led going well before 3 out, about 1 length ahead when mistake last, hung left and stayed on under pressure run-in
led until pushed along and headed after 4 out, chased winner until weakened before next
NonRunner
Valadom has won around here over fences and won twice over the larger obstacles last year. He was second over hurdles at Catterick in January but seems to need a thorough test of stamina nowadays and may not get that here. FOLLOW THE BEAR (NAP) made all over this trip at Kempton at the start of the month and has nothing to fear from fourth Steel Bob on that run, despite a penalty. Nicky Henderson’s charge could run up a sequence in races like this if kept going over the summer. Cap Horner travelled well for a long way on his hurdles bow at Plumpton and should be capable of better.
Cap Horner (FR) 18-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, closed and every chance 3 out, 2nd and going ok when not fluent 2 out, no impression before the last, ridden and no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Peak To Peak (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gf in Apr.
Don't Tell My Mrs (IRE) High-rise gelding out of Hazel Grove.
Griffington 100-1 (11-2) Always in rear, behind 4 out, pulled up before next, at Ffos Las 2m 6f (4) gd in Apr.
Rollo's Reflection (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, pushed along 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Steel Bob (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) Tracked front pair to before 3 out, soon outpaced, well held before next, last of 4, 19 1/2l behind Follow The Bear (10-13) at Kempton 3m (4) gd in May.
Valadom (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 27th, soon behind, 11th of 16, 31 1/2l behind Cause Of Causes (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Mar.
Follow The Bear (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Set slow pace, made virtually all, quickened 3 out, pushed clear when mistake last, ridden out, comfortably, won at Kempton 3m (4) gd in May beating Criq Rock (10-13) by 8l, 4 ran.
