tracked leader, challenged 10th, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on
in touch, lost place 10th, 7th and beaten when blundered last
held up in rear, some headway when hit 9th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
behind, lost touch 10th, kept on under pressure flat, never near leaders
jinked start, beind until headway on outside to go prominent 3rd, outpaced 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go moderate 4th inside final furlong, no impression
held up in touch, effort on inside 9th, chased leading pair 4 out, ridden after last, rallied final furlong, always held
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last
led, hard pressed 10th, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
behind, effort on outside 4 out, chased leaders after last, soon ridden and no impression, weakened final furlong
WHAT OF IT is the hopeful selection in a race where Ardnaclancy and Father Murtagh may well be able to take a hand in the finish. The market is often a useful guide to these contests although this race has thrown up double figure priced winners for each of the last three seasons. The suggestion is What Of It who made a pleasing start to his Hunter Chase career when going close at Newton Abbot. He blotted his copybook at Perth having made a couple of early errors but is given another chance. Ardnaclancy has done well in points and ran a more encouraging race at Kelso last time so enters calculations on the back of it whilst Father Murtagh finished one place in front of Ardnaclancy at Hexham on May 1st so clearly merits respect. Athoss ran a fair race at Perth last time given that he wasn't helped by the rain that arrived and he should see out the trip better on this occasion as long as the ground stays on top but the suggestion is What Of It.
Ardnaclancy (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on on from last, no impression, 5th of 13, 5l behind Moment of Madness (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (6) gf.
Athoss 8-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 10th, driven and outpaced next, no impression with leading pair before 3 out, left 15 length 2nd last, stayed on flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Sotovik (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Barry The Cracker 16-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracking leaders 2nd, not fluent 4th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, lost remote 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 48l behind Scotch Warrior (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) gf.
Cluthe Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mistakes, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Bradley (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Father Murtagh (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Blun 11; 3rd & rdn 3 out; no imp, 4th of 7, 13l behind King Du Berlais (11-0) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd.
Lagosta (SAF) 7-1 (11-0) Ap; led 12-14; led 4 out; ro wl, won at Tabley 3m ptp gf beating Petit Lord (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
The Stickler 6-1 (12-5) (cp) held up; blun 15; one pce 3 out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Oaklands Bobby (12-5) at Mordon 3m ptp fm.
What Of It (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Led to 7th, chased leaders, mistake 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Silver Sedge (12-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Wilfie Wild 5-1 (11-0) Went cl 3rd 12; led 14 til hdd 4 out; wknd qckly, 4th of 8, 29l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gf.