chased winner until jumped left 3rd, mistake 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
made all, clear after 4th until approaching 9th, pushed along and 3 lengths ahead when mistake and left well clear 2 out, unchallenged
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent 8th (water), closed on winner before next, pushed along and 3 lengths down when virtually fell 2 out, lost all chance, lost 2nd flat
held up, lost touch with leading pair from 7th, tailed off
jumped left, held up, lost touch with leading pair from 7th, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Yes Sir had been proving to be expensive to follow over fences but Peter Bowen's gelding came right in good style at Kelso last week and has an obvious chance of following up here with Wild Is The Wind preferred to Regal Term for the forecast spot. The selection was different class to these over hurdles and has not always had the best of luck since being switched to the larger obstacles but on Kelso evidence he looks to be very much the one they all have to beat. Monteforte was still two lengths clear when falling at the last here when last seen in March and has to be respected if putting in a clear round. He makes more appeal than Pat Haslam's Alvarez, who goes straight over fences after four runs in bumpers. Regal Term has more to do than when winning at Market Rasen last time and of more interest may be Jonjo O'Neill's Towcester winner Wild Is The Wind. Yes Sir has easily the best form on offer though and is taken to follow up his Kelso success.
Regal Term (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, led 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Apr beating Elvis Returns (11-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
Yes Sir (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, drew clear from last, readily, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (3) gf beating Barton Flower (10-4) by 9l, 5 ran.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 6-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft beating Just A Splash (11-2) by 23l, 9 ran.
Alvarez 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, joined leaders after 4f, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 19, 9l behind Perouse (11-0) at Hexham 2m mdn opn nhf (H) gd in Apr '02.
Monteforte 2-1 (11-3) Jumped left, chased leaders, went 2nd at 8th, jumped slowly 12th and 14th, ridden to lead after 2 out, 2 lengths clear when fell at the last in race won by Fisherman Jack (11-3) at Bangor 3m beg chs (4) sft in Mar, 5 ran.
Heavy Weather (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in touch, mistake 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 16, 7l behind No Guarantees (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
