tracked leader, not fluent 5 out, every chance 2 out, no extra after last
led, mistake 9th, headed 5 out, rallied next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, remote 4th
chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 4th, effort 2 out, stayed on into 2nd closing stages
prominent, led 5 out, challenged 2 out, stayed on well
held up in rear but in touch, mistake 4 out, soon lost touch, weakened next, tailed off
NonRunner
STOCKBURN had been struggling over hurdles before posting a much better effort on his chasing debut when third at Chepstow last time. Alan King’s charge can open his account with normal progress. Ratfacemcdougall defied a penalty in a novice hurdle at Hereford last time and debuts over fences today but Petiville has failed to build on an earlier third at Kelso, though Richard Johnson takes over the reins today and may coax a return to form. Ofcourseiwill won over hurdles on last year’s card but was still beaten a distance when runner-up over these fences in October and Sackett is preferred on his second at Fakenham in March.
Ratfacemcdougall (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Chased leader, left in lead just after 6th, stayed on, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 6f (4) gd in Mar beating Tarrona (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ofcourseiwill (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Led, headed 4 out and fell on landing, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Petiville (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Mid-division, took closer order 9th, led before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, well held in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Traditional Dancer (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Stockburn (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Never fluent, towards rear, pushed along and outpaced before 5 out, plugged on from 2 out, switched right and kept on run-in, never nearer 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Pop Rockstar (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Super Sid (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden before 4 out, weakened approaching next, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Sackett 13-2 (11-11) Held up and behind, jumped right 7th, reminder after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.