soon mid-division, closed 5th, went 2nd before 12th, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, all out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, some headway before 12th, soon beaten, weakened 4 out
in rear , not fluent 7th, pulled up before 12th
in rear, slow and reminders 4th, ridden 8th, closed 11th, outpaced in 4th before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven in close 3rd 3 out, weakened next
led, clear 7th, not fluent 9th, reduced lead 11th, headed before last, held near finish
ridden from the off towards rear, behind 12th, tailed off
with leader, dived at 1st, mistake and unseated rider next
left chasing leader 2nd, lost 2nd after 11th, soon weakened, tailed off
Gamain’s recent victories have come at Wincanton and he hasn’t won anywhere else in almost two years. He may also need a bit further while Chase The Wind has gone up 2lb since second here last time over an extended 3m5f. Deputy Commander is well treated on past form but no certainty to reverse running over 2m4f here with STEEL WAVE, despite a 4lb turnaround. Gary Hanmer’s charge stayed this trip over hurdles and has his ground again. Amber Gambler and Cornish Warrior aren’t without hope but Old Pride is now 0-11 over fences.
Steel Wave (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace, stayed on strongly to lead close home (3 fences omitted), won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Lord County (11-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Deputy Commander (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Soon towards rear, took closer order 7th, under pressure 3 out, stayed on well closing stages, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Steel Wave (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Amber Gambler (GER) 3-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place after 13th, behind from 4 out, no danger after, last of 6, 33 1/2l behind Viens Chercher (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Gamain (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until 9th, not fluent and reminders 11th, went 2nd from 13th, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, led again flat, stayed on, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Cap Horner (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Chase The Wind (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, effort after next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Packettotherafters (10-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Old Pride (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden and hard pressed after 2 out, headed flat, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Contented (12-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Cornish Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2, tailed off, 5th of 7, 26 3/4l behind Apache Pilot (10-2) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Master Sunrise (IRE) 25-1 (12-2) In touch on outside, lost place and reminder after 4th, detached in last pair from 7th, tailed off final circuit, eventually pulled up, at Warwick 3m 1f (5) gd in May.
Spock (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Led to 3rd, pressed leader, lost place 5 out, soon behind, no danger after, 4th of 5, 29l behind Khairagash (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
