chased leaders, blundered 9th, weakened 13th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
held up, headway into 4th when pecked badly 12th, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd flat
in touch, chased leaders 12th, chased winner approaching 3 out, stayed challenging until no extra from last
always prominent, led 9th, made rest, stayed on well flat
led to approaching 3rd, stayed prominent, chased winner from 9th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, lost poor 3rd flat
led approaching 3rd until 9th, soon ridden and lost place, struggling from 12th and soon pulled up
always behind, reminders and weakened 8th, well behind when pulled up approaching 11th
The Tizzard's can be a formidable team at this time of year and the unbeaten point-to-pointer CANNINGTON BROOK is nominated here ahead of Meanus Dandy. Like one of last seasons success stories Joe Lively, this gelding was a cheap purchase but has been impressive in two point-to-points. His stable has a good record at the track and with the exception of a couple, this doesn't look the strongest of races. The favourite will be Meanus Dandy. He was a winner on his final start at Summerhill and although his previous point-to-point form looks modest enough, there is no telling how much improvement his new yard will glean. Jaunty Journey spoilt his recent chasing debut with a couple of mistakes but he was a decent hurdler last year and obviously has ability, Brenin Cwmtudu is rated 117 over hurdles and needs to improve for the switch to fences, whilst fellow Chepstow winner Black Ven returns from a long absence but is not to be ignored if returning on song. The rest look to be making up the numbers, and so we will return to Cannington Brook as the selection.
Black Ven (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '08, 18 ran.
Brenin Cwmtudu 13-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 8th, close up when fell 4 out, in a race won by Magnifico (9-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Cannington Brook (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) won at Charlton Horethorne 3m ptp in Mar beating Siouxme (11-7) by well, 12 ran.
Jaunty Journey 2-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden after 13th, stayed pressing leaders until 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Theatre Dance (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 4-6 (12-0) Ap; led 7-9; led 14; easy, won at Woodford 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Knighton Combe (12-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Shady Hollow (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by King's Wood (11-7) at Exeter 3m hts chs (5) gd in May, 9 ran.
Windinthewillows (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leader until after 7th, weakened 9th, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Pop (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Royal Gunner 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, quickly weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Itzacliche (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f amat chs (6) gd in Apr '08, 7 ran.
