prominent, led 11th, mistake and ridden 3 out, no extra when headed last
in touch until weakened quickly after 3 out
held up, ridden after 11th, headway approaching 13th, lost place 4 out, rallied after 3 out, one pace approaching last
held up, headway from 3 out, ridden between last 2, led last, ran on
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, blundered 6th, soon behind, mistake 3 out and pulled up
in touch, ran on under pressure to take 2nd run-in
held up, headway 13th, weakened after 3 out
led to 11th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 8th, weakend 3 out, tailed off
Knife Edge gets the confident vote in this hunter chase with Foly Pleasant and Red Brook Lad rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair seventh behind Drombeag in a better race than this at Cheltenham last time out and with this faster ground also in his favour he is hard to oppose. Folly Pleasant rates the main danger as he is another that will relish the ground but he took a heavy fall last time out and it is hard to know if his confidence will have been effected and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Red Brook Lad is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he has looked a shadow of his former self of late. Interdit has been in good form in points but he finished lame last time out and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Beauchamp Oracle is another that will love the ground but he lacks the class of the selection Knife Edge.
Beauchamp Oracle 8-1 (12-0) In rear, headway approaching 18th, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, edged right after last, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Vinnie Boy (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd.
Foly Pleasant (FR) 80-1 (12-0) fell in race won by Drombeag (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Knife Edge (USA) 25-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 24, 24l behind Drombeag (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Red Brook Lad 8-11fav (12-0) Held up, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Viscount Bankes (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf.
Kiora Bay 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 10, 17l behind Natiain (11-11) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs.
Ivanoph (FR) 2-1 (12-0) held up & tk keen hold; led 4; 10l clr & out of control when rn out 6 ran out in race won by La Maestra (11-7) at Llanvapley 3m ptp frm, 3 ran.
Rebel Army (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Pushed along when in rear 5th, tailed off after 9th, pulled up before 11th pulled up at the 11th in race won by Castlemore (11-5) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) gf, 11 ran.
Interdit (FR) 2-7fav (11-0) 2nd til carried out 8; rtrcd 1% fncs bhnd; nt rch ldrs, 3rd of 4, 26l behind Gabla (11-0) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gf.
