chased winner until approaching 3 out, 3rd and no chance when blundered 3 out, pulled up shortly after
close up, dropped to rear 5th, ridden to chase leading pair from 9th, chased winner approaching 3 out, soon held and no impression
in touch, chased leader pair 6th, hit next, tired in 4th place when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
made all, hit 7th, ridden and in command from 3 out, stayed on well
behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
behind, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders in 3rd, jumped slowly 2nd, behind from 6th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 10th
Merry Path, Vinnie Boy and Gatsby look the three to concentrate on in this hunter chase and the vote is given to Vinnie Boy. The selection fell last time out but prior to that he had won as if a progressive type and under conditions that suit and with the experienced Polly Gundry taking the ride he looks the one to be on. Merry Path rates the main danger on his best form under rules but he was let down by his jumping in a big way last time out and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Gatsaby is another worthy of respect on his best form but he lacks a finishing kick at the end of his races and again he looks vulnerable. Of the remainder Marrasit is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but in a race that is full of dodgy jumpers and where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Vinnie Boy.
Merry Path (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, losing place when blundered 12th, behind from 14th, 9th of 16, 32l behind Rheindross (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gf in Jun.
Vinnie Boy (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Prominent, mistake 10th, weakening when fell at the 12th in race won by Lord Beau (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f nov hts chs (H) gd in May, 16 ran.
Altareek (USA) 12-1 (12-5) fell in race won by Indoux (12-5) at High Easter 3m ptp gd, 11 ran.
Gatsby (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders when fell at the 6th in race won by Denvale (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft, 10 ran.
Noggler 4-5fav (12-0) unseated rider in race won by Carew (12-0) at Mordon 3m ptp frm in May, 5 ran.
Dolly Devious 6-1 (11-9) 2nd of 4, 30l behind Hill Trail (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Apr '03.
Marrasit (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 9th, chased winner 5 out, ridden and about two and a half lengths down when blundered last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Denvale (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft.
