tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 4th
held up and always behind, left poor 4th when badly hampered last
mistake 9th (water), mistake 13th, behind, some headway 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up behind, headway approaching 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened, poor 4th when fell last
held up towards rear, mistake 9th (water), headway approaching 12th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, when poor 3rd last
held up behind, went poor 4th flat, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, mistake 11th, weakened after 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
led until 4th, chased leaders until weakened approaching 14th
in touch, mistake 11th, weakened 14th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
behind from 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
In this intriguing hunters' chase, a number of the runners can be considered, but, in a race where the betting might provide the best guidance, we will side with Mazileo ahead of Banjo Hill and Kerstino Two. The selection has the highest official rating of these and was good enough to win from a mark of 98 last summer. The fact that Ian Williams has kept hold of him at this level and a good rider is booked also strengthens his claims, and he looks set to run well. Turning to the others and the course winners Bengal Bullet, Banjo Hill and Jabiru have all to be considered, while Kerstino Two went to Taunton last time with a very good reputation, but then proceeded to unseat his rider. However, it will probably pay to forgive him that and he holds solid claims today. Fair Wind is another to hold respectable form, but I Am I Said looks held by Jabiru on recent Taunton form. Kilbready Boy caused a shock at Warwick last time, but the form is modest, but the best recent form of Bruthuinne and Mazileo gives them claims. Mr Woodland holds claims on his form of three years ago, but unless the market tells a different story, others are preferred by us, chief among these being Mazileo.
Bengal Bullet 7-2 Held up, headway 4th, went 2nd after 6th until approaching 12th, blundered badly 4 out and fell 3 out in race won by Montifault at Ludlow 3m hts chs (H) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Jabiru (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, weakened and behind from 12th, tailed off, 15th of 24, well behind Sleeping Night at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (B) gd.
Fair Wind (IRE) 7-1 Led 2nd to 4th, led again approaching 9th, disputed next, headed approaching 11th, soon ridden and soon lost place, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Kilbready Boy at Warwick 3m hts chs (H) sft in Feb.
I Am Said I (IRE) 6-1 Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 10th, led again 11th, headed next, led again 13th, ridden when headed 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Jabiru at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gs.
Kilbready Boy (IRE) 7-2 Held up, headway 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well, won at Warwick 3m hts chs (H) sft in Feb beating Tribal Run by 3l, 6 ran.
Mazileo 11-4fav With leader, led 3rd, soon clear, mistake 11th, headed approaching 3 out, in 2nd and beaten when fell at the last in race won by Monty's Quest at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
Bruthuinne (IRE) Even 2nd of 3, 6l behind Morris Piper at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp frm in Feb.
Father Mansfield (IRE) 16-1 2nd of 10, 2l behind County Derry at Larkhill 4m ptp gf.
Kerstino Two 6-4fav Mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Jabiru at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gs, 10 ran.
Mr Woodland 20-1 5th of 9, 28l behind Sandy Duff at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Province 14-1 4th of 7, 6l behind Ballysicyos at Great Trethew 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Alska (FR) 16-1 Tracked leaders, led 4th until after 5th, mistake and lost place 9th, outpaced next, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2 out, 4th of 10, 15l behind Jabiru at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gs.
Good Bone (FR) 8-1 Mid-division, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 7l behind Cobreces at Ludlow 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd.
Banjo Hill 12-1 In touch, lost place and bumped 8th, behind when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Proper Squire at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May, 8 ran.
