tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, hampered after next, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened 4 out
held up, pushed along 5th, not fluent next, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
keen close up, tracked leader 3 out, ridden and every chance next, led and hit last, ran on
close up, ridden 3 out, led before next, hit next and headed last, kept on
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
in rear, behind 4th, tailed off
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off
held up towards rear, good headway 3 out, every chance next when stumbled on landing and fell next
tracked leader until ridden before 3 out, soon struggling, tailed off
Most of these have won bumpers or point-to-points but BRAQUEUR D’OR has gone the closest over hurdles. He was second at Hereford last month and that experience should stand him in good stead here. Christmas In April made a winning start in a bumper at Market Rasen and debuts over hurdles along with the other NH Flat winners Joe Farrell, Keeper Hill, Sam Noir and Westendorf. Vinnie Lewis has won a couple of point-to-points in Ireland this year and is another to keep an eye on.
Braqueur D'Or (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Some Kinda Lama (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Christmas In April (FR) 5-6fav (10-10) Tracked leader until 8f out, went 2nd again 5f out, shaken up over 3f out, closed 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in May beating Mortens Leam (10-10) by 7l, 6 ran.
Commanding Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place from 6th, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Monbeg Charmer (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Courtinthemiddle (IRE) 6-1 (12-1) Mostly 5th/6th, 5th 5out, clsr 4out & hdwy 3rd 2out, chsd ldrs bef last, disp 2nd at last & ko run in, 2nd of 7, 6l behind First Drift (12-1) at Kirkistown 3m mdn sft in Mar.
Gulshanigans 50-1 (11-0) Dived left and unseated rider 1st, at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 1-7fav (11-7) Tracked leader, shaken up briefly over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon well clear, eased final 100 yards, won at Worcester 2m (6) gf in Jul beating Aspecialpresent (11-0) by 20l, 4 ran.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Led early, tracked leaders, effort to challenge 3f out, every chance over 2f out to 1f out, ridden and no impression with front pair final furlong, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Betameche (11-10) at Wetherby 2m (6) sft in Apr.
Sam Noir 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 24l behind Misterton (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Steel Native (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, mistakes 2nd and 5th, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, modest 4th when mistake last, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Misty Mai (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 6-4 (11-10) Ran 4th until 3rd frm 6th, 4l 2nd frm 9th & chall 3out, ld bef 2out, went 5l clr bef last, qcknd clr flat, imprsve, won at Kinsale 3m gd in Jun beating Fortune Bound (12-1) by 6l, 5 ran.
Way Of The World (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 2nd inside final mile, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, dist behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in May.
Westendorf (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th 4f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Tipperary 2m 2f Yielding - Soft in May beating Naturally Blond (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Sahara Haze 10-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until lost place after 4th, tailed off before 3 out, no chance when blundered next, last of 9, dist behind Misty Mai (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
