held up, headway after 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway 10th, went 2nd from 13th, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, very easily
in touch, headway approaching 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, never dangerous after
held up, weakened from 11th, in 3rd and held when blundered last
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 7th, lost place 10th, mistake 11th, soon behind
with leader, in 2nd when fell 12th
Border Fusion heads our short-list from Magnetic Pearl and Proud Andees. The selection only needed to be ridden out to win last year's renewal of this race by three lengths and he has every chance of staging a repeat performance this afternoon. He has a different pilot on board this year but Richard Burton has ridden plenty of winners and the pair have leading claims. Stablemate Proud Andees won a point with ease last time and shouldn't be dismissed with a top amateur taking the ride whilst Magnetic Pole comes into the race on the back of a confidence boosting success at Eyton-on-Severn. Bravery Scotch beat Belligerent by 2 lengths at the same venue and this progressive young pointer has now won his last three starts and is another who merits respect on his Hunter Chase bow. It won't be easy but Border Fusion is taken to win back to back renewals.
Belligerent (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 27l behind Massimo (12-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Border Fusion 6-4fav (12-7) Held up; prog 12; ev ch 2 out; nt go thro, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Home Made (12-0) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd.
Bravery Scotch (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Held up; jnd ldrs 14; led aft nxt; r.o wl, won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Belligerent (12-0) by 2l, 17 ran.
Darnil (IRE) 3-1 (12-3) Lost plce 7; t.o 13; rem 7th app 3 out; fin v str, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Magnetic Pole (12-7) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd.
Kings Reason 9-1 (12-0) (ts) prom; led 15 til hdd & wknd 2 out, 5th of 12, 15l behind Beau de Turgeon (12-0) at Whittington 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Magnetic Pole 7-1 (12-7) Led 3; clr app 3 out; rdn out, won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd beating Darnil (12-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Rebel Army (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Trckd ldrs; ev ch 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Step And Run (11-0) at Alpraham 3m ptp in Apr.
Tommy Two Toes (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Massimo (12-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Proud Andees (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Cl up; led 15; lft clr 2 out, won at Bangor Points 3m ptp sft in Apr beating Lord Louis (12-0) by a runin, 7 ran.
