mistakes, hampered 1st, always towards rear, tailed off
blundered and unseated rider 1st
in touch in chasing group, weakened after 8th
always behind, hit 4 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
behind, struggling 7th, well behind when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
prominent in chasing group, mistake 7th, mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch in chasing group, headway to chase leaders 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened run-in
prominent in chasing group, behind from 8th
chased clear leader until weakened approaching 3 out
never reached beyond mid-division
prominent in chasing group, mistakes 4th and 7th, chased leaders 3 out, hit next, led and jumped right last, driven clear run-in
prominent in chasing group, hit 6th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged and mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in
stumbled badly 1st, close up in chasing group, went 2nd 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out
led and soon clear, ridden and reduced lead after 3 out, mistake and headed last, weakened run-in
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Brendan Powell is sponsoring this race today and whilst it is no real advert for his yard, the fact that he runs the progressive Wild Ground raises some interest and it is he who gets the vote ahead of Benedict Bay and Midnight Ocean. The selection comes here on the back of a win at the track last time out over fences. That win came off a mark of 90, and connections have decided to revert to hurdles today in the hope of exploiting a significantly lower hurdles mark. Whilst he is evidently a better chaser, it would be disappointing if he was not to go well today. Benedict Bay won well last time out at Plumpton, but that was in hock-deep ground and he will need to improve today to follow up that maiden success. Midnight Ocean ran well last time out at Newton Abbott, and seeing as that was only his sixth run, then improvement can be expected. Mancebo belied odds of 66/1 when filling the runners-up spot last time and may be of interest, whilst at a price Himba could improve on what we have seen to date. An open finale, in which Wild Ground can land the spoils.
Mancebo (GER) 66-1 (11-0) In touch, challenged 3 out, led after 3 out, headed soon after next, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Haddaaf (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Business Traveller (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Behind, reminders after 4th and 5th, mistake next, always in rear, 9th of 13, 27l behind Cava Bien (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Himba 20-1 (10-12) With leader until after 7th, soon ridden, weakened after next, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Heavenly Pleasure (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Lost touch 6th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Wild Tonto (10-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Midnight Ocean 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, went 4th and hit 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Lenny The Blade (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, under pressure 3 out, soon faded, 5th of 8, well behind Rodrigo Gonzales (12-0) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Twenti Twenti (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 21, 16l behind Fair Dual (10-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Wild Ground (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) In touch, led 12th, narrowly headed 3 out, led soon after 2 out, drew clear, comfortably, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Mystical Star (10-0) by 9l, 10 ran.
Heaven Is Above (IRE) 4-6fav (12-5) Jnd wnr 9; rdn & outpcd app last, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Lord Alpha (12-0) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp sft in Apr.
Pedlers Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division until dropped rear 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Munching Mike (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 18 ran.
Pochard 11-2 (11-5) In touch, mistake 9th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Benedict Bay (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Benedict Bay 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 2nd, hit 4th, ridden 3 out, all out flat, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Charlie Poole (11-9) by 3l, 11 ran.
Supreme Team (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) brought down in race won by Armenian Boy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept, 11 ran.
Mysaynoway 50-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, lost place quickly and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Arceye (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr, 14 ran.
Mobasher (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Raced wide, held up in rear, mistakes 7th, 8th and next, headway from 3 out, went moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Lightening Fire (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Little Rort (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) In touch until lost place quickly 6th, plugged on past beaten horses from 2 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Hill Forts Henry (11-8) at Taunton 3m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Kings Story (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, slow jump 5th, steady headway from 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, soon driven, no impression, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Lightening Fire (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Trackattack 66-1 (10-9) Chased winner until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 30l behind Councillor Jack (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (4) gs in Mar.
