led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led next, 4 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat
in touch, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and 4 lengths down last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind when hampered and brought down next
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, no impression from last
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, outpaced when fell 3 out
Back To The Wind can confirm his latest winning form at the expense of Danny Zuko and Castletown Boy. The selection broke his maiden tag for Nicky Henderson at Ludlow in a sub standard novice handicap contest. He has more work on her hands here now running off a seven pounds higher mark but in such a poor race he can win again for his new connections. Danny Zuko won a bumper for Paul Nicholls before joining his current yard. He has shown a decent level of ability of late running well in a novice event at Aintree last time out suggesting that another win during the summer is not beyond him so is one to note. Castletown Boy ran a personal best ay Hexham last time putting a disappointing effort on heavy ground behind him. That said with all the rain falling over the past weekend there is no guarantee he will get his ground here so is treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Back To The Wind.
Back To The Wind (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Quickly away, made all, pressed last, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd beating Sam Lord (11-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Castletown Boy (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, soon in touch, led before last, ridden and headed after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Or d'Oudairies (10-7) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway after 6th, one pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Sendani (10-12) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Depraux (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Dicey Dancer (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Nov.
First Boy 22-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 16l behind Heezazari (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd.
Moygashel (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, moderate 9th after 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 14, 37l behind Rossgavand (10-8) at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn hdl gd.
Oscar Wild 80-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Joseph (11-4) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Mega Steps (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place 4th, tailed off from 7th, 13th of 14, well behind Yeoman Spirit (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Phoenix Nights (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, well behind Weather Front (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.