prominent, chased winner from 12th, every chance 3 out, soon held
in touch and keen, led 3rd, headed briefly 7th, fell 9th
in rear, mistake 5th, badly hampered when unseated rider 9th
tracked leaders and keen, mistake 14th, weakened next
in touch, mistake 11th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
in touch, brief effort 13th, soon beaten
led, headed 3rd, led briefly 7th, left in lead after 9th, joined 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easy
in touch, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
The course experience held by Yeoman Sailor gives him an edge over Caught At Dawn and Let's Fly, while Samuel Wilderspin has been a grand servant for Richard Lee over the years and cannot be ruled out of going close at this level, even though he is well into the veteran stage of his career. A winner at the then Thomas Pink meeting at Cheltenham in 2001, Lee's charge was arguably the best of these under rules and, but for his tendency to burst, would have been given a more solid build up today. Caught At Dawn also has a Cheltenham win to his name, but failed to sparkle in a point-to-point a fortnight ago. He will do well to concede so much weight this afternoon and looks opposable on balance. Especially now that Yeoman Sailor has proved that he still has what it takes to be a force at this level. This track suited him well during his days with Mark Pitman and, as Neil Harris gets on very well with him, every thing looks in place for a bold show from Yeoman Sailor on these terms
Caught At Dawn (IRE) 11-8fav 7th of 16, 27l behind Just Cliquot at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Franco (IRE) Made all and won easily at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Lady Baronette by 8l.
Jimmy Cricket 8-1 Held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, kept on again flat, 4th of 13, 5l behind Star Glow at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Let's Fly (FR) 9-1 pulled up in race won by Sandy Duff at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Mr Thurlstone 66-1 Not jump well early, joined leaders 13th, ridden from 15th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 40l behind Earthmover at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Samuel Wilderspin 12-1 Held up, headway 15th, ridden after 18th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 11l behind Cobreces at Ludlow 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd.
Yeoman Sailor (IRE) 3-1fav won at High Easter 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Lord Ken by 6l, 17 ran.
St Helier 5-2 unseated rider in race won by Bright Beacon at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gd in May '03, 9 ran.
