chased leaders until lost place 7th, last when pulled up after 9th
in touch, mistake and unseated rider 6th
narrow lead, headed 9th, weakened next, soon struggling
chased leaders, 3rd from 7th, led 9th, kept on well from 3 out, clear last
pressed leader until 9th, weakened next, tailed off
held up, struggling in rear 7th, tailed off and soon pulled up
tended to jump right, held up, headway to 4th 4 out, stayed on under pressure 4th when hit last, kept on to modest 3rd, near finish
in touch, headway to 3rd 4 out, no impression and weakened to 4th near finish
Nonrunner
A tricky opening contest but hopefully SPACE COWBOY can get us off to a good start ahead of Majy D'auteuil and Morestead. The selection comes from the in form Gary Moore yard who love having winners at this track. The horse has been very consistent of late being placed in its last three starts. On its last start Space Cowboy could not get a blow in over the course and distance behind Bid Art who got an easy lead. They take each other on again today but we feel the Moore horse has a good chance of reversing the form. Majy D'auteuil may give the selection most to think about. Robert Thornton is an interesting jockey booking. He disappointed on his last start but soft ground was to blame. He also has decent course and distance form which will always help around this track so a big run is expected. Morestead is interesting from the Brendan Powell yard who is the tracks top trainer. The horse is a consistent front runner with course and distance form but he may not get his own way up front with Bid Art in the field. However, his seven lbs claiming jockey is worth his claim and is a competent rider. Bid Art is clearly on the up after his latest victory but with Daryl Jacob not riding we are willing to pass him over. The two who are potential dark horses are Bushwacker who had top bumper form but his jumping has been poor and Maggie Mathias who is Brendan Powell's second string.
Maxwil 15-2 (11-7) Held up in last pair, headway into 3rd 9th, trying to close on runner up, no chance with winner when pecked 2 out, one pace and well held after, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Ray Mond (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 10th, soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Chance Du Roy (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 7 ran.
Bushwacker (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, staying on same pace when not fluent last, 4th of 6, 8l behind Rince Donn (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Morestead (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, lost place 4 out, 5th of 11, 33l behind High Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Good Old Days (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leader until 7th, chased leader again 10th, mistake 12th, ridden to join leader and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, pulled up flat, lame, in a race won by Dusk (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
One Cornetto (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed 10th, chased winner until 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sesame Rambler (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar, 5 ran.
Maggie Mathias (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Flower Haven (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Post It 7-1 (11-0) Chased leading trio, not fluent 5th, pulled up quickly 9th, in a race won by Bid Art (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 9 ran.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) In touch, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, pushed along before next, went 2nd 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Bid Art (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Bid Art (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Made all, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Space Cowboy (10-11) by 14l, 9 ran.
