prominent, led 9th, headed next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden approaching 7th, headed 9th, pressed leaders, rallied to lead approaching last, ridden out
tracked leaders, joined leaders 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace
held up, headway after 6th, joined leaders 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
On official BHB ratings this should go to the Martin Pipe-trained Puntal but Tony McCoy's mount faces a fast improving rival in the shape of Bonus Bridge and preference is for Henry Daly's gelding. The son of Executive Perk was placed in six of his seven starts over fences last term, without ever troubling the judge but has not looked back recently scoring convincing victories in his last two starts. On the first occasion the nine-year-old made all to beat Kalca Mone (a winner since) and subsequently readily accounted for the Paul Nicholls-trained Le Duc at Ludlow. A reproduction of those efforts may suffice. Charlie Mann's Keltic Bard won more easily than the winning margin would suggest at Leicester last time although runner-up Sir Talbot (a winner since) probably needed the run after a long absence. Jahash and Master Rex make limited appeal and a bigger threat is likely to come from Puntal, especially as Martin Pipe's gelding has been given a break since his disappointing effort at Sandown behind Thisthatandtother. However Bonus Bridge is going the right way at present and is the selection to win again.
