A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase H.

Chart notes

BELFAST BANTER (IRE) saved ground near the rear of the field, jumped well to maintain position while along the inside, advanced once in the flat given a notch to work with and bid powerfully into contention spinning into upper stretch for the final time, overthrew the leader a furlong out and drew clear in hand to the finish to prevail comfortably on the wire. HISTORIC HEART (IRE) tracked the top pair along the inside in closest aim of them jumping well to maintain position, came under coaxing midway on the turn once in the flat, took over narrow command straightened away into upper stretch, dug in coming under quick threat and was overhauled a furlong from home, ran on to chase the winner home, no match for that one, while clear of the rest and along second best. FREDDY FLINTSHIRE was in behind foes at the start when the flag was dropped, settled just off the inside near the rear of the field, jumped well to maintain position unhurried until called upon once in the flat after the final flight, advanced strongly into contention near the head of the stretch, dug in under a drive and ran on to secure the show honors. NOAH AND THE ARK (IRE) was also in behind foes at the start, saved ground at the tail of the field, came under urging after the final fence and passed tired rivals in the flat. WEST NEWTON (GB) a bit washy, showed the way along the inside at times jumping inwards to nearly leave the course just after fences three, five and seven, however maintaining just enough bounce back to get inside the dog once more each time, settled into a comfortable rhythm and remained on hold even once in the flat until midway on the final turn when under challenge from GORDON'S JET to the outside, yielded to that rival spinning into upper stretch for the last time and tired. REDICEAN (GB) traded a bump at the start with SALVINO, tracked the pace along the inside jumping well to maintain position, came under urging after the final jump and tired in the flat. GORDON'S JET (IRE) forwardly placed just off the inside tracking the leader in closest aim, jumped well to maintain position, came under coaxing issuing a challenge midway on the final turn, took briefly command spinning just off the inside into upper stretch at the quarter pole, got headed by HISTORIC HEART straightened away and tired. SALVINO (IRE) traded a bump at the start with REDICEAN, grew a bit rank under restraint just off the inside in mid pack, past the stands for the initial time before settling into the second turn two to three wide, tracked the front two to three wide coming under coaxing after the final fence and tired. WELSHMAN just off the inside just off the pace, came under urging midway on the final turn in the flat, faltered in the stretch and was eased home to the finish.