chased leaders, blundered 9th, behind and no chance after, tailed off
led 2nd, made rest, in command when hit last, ridden out towards finish
in touch, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off
led to 2nd, chased winner until mistake 8th, struggling after, tailed off
raced in 3rd, chased winner from 8th, kept on towards finish, always readily held
chased leading pair from 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no chance with front pair
Bolero Eclair probably has the best rules form of the six runners in this hunters' chase but Daniel O'Brien's gelding faces no easy task against DANTE'S STORM, who has shown a decent level of ability in winning point-to-points, including one recently, and he is taken to maintain winning ways on his rules debut. Good Gordon is closely matched with Bolero Eclair on official BHA ratings but he was well held behind Ofarel D'Airy at Fontwell recently and looks best watched now. Senor Cid is capable but inconsistent having won two and failed to complete in two of his last four starts in points, while another winning pointer Shillingstone has been off the track for some time now and may be best left out of calculations. Who Else Knew has not raced under rules for some time now but his recent point-to-point form gives him a chance but it is not up the level that has been shown by Dante's Storm, who gets the vote to make a winning debut over regulation fences.
Bolero Eclair (FR) 3-1 (11-0) In tch til wknd aft 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Scotland Yard (11-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd, 7 ran.
Dante's Storm 1-2fav (12-0) A.p; led 12; stayed on wl, won at Detling 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Lord Trix (12-4) by 3l, 7 ran.
Good Gordon (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, lost touch from 11th, went moderate 3rd after 3 out, never a danger, 3rd of 8, well behind Ofarel D'airy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft.
Senor Cid 9-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Kingscliff (12-0) at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Shillingstone 7-4fav (12-0) A.p; disp ld 15-last; no ex, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Blue Magnum (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Feb '08.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Hdwy 10; wknd aft 3 out, 4th of 20, 37l behind Wickford (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd in Jan.