tracked lears, led 7th, headed approaching 9th, tracked leader, led again 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure from last, just held on
in touch in 4th and keen, pushed along and hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, challenged last, disputed lead with winner flat, just held post
led to 7th, pushed along 9th, hit next and lost place, ridden and weakened 12th
tracked leader and keen, led approaching 9th, headed 2 out, soon outpaced
Whilst it'd be unwise to take the form of his recent win at face value, BAILY STORM should have little trouble beating these; Sierra Victor and Miss Sunflower can fight it out for second. Tim Vaughan's gelding accounted for 133-rated hurdler Classic Swain when the pair made their debuts over fences at Hexham. A fair performer over the smaller obstacles in his own right, this son of Anshan has been found a very weak race as he bids to follow-up and it should just be a case of a clear round will do. His jumping improved throughout that contest and with fast ground evidently ideal he gets the confident vote. Sierra Victor is rated 88 and that entitles him to the label 'best of the rest'. He's gone close a couple of times and showed he's got the ability to win races when taking a maiden point-to-point, so should the favourite come unstuck he's the most likely to profit. Miss Sunflower has shown very little promise under rules, in keeping with her modest pedigree, but the mare did at least take second in a point last time and therefore merits a modicum of respect. Ellandshe would have claims on his third to Noble Alan but the rest of his efforts suggest he's flattered by that and he's opposable along with The Green Hat who shouldn't be close to good enough to win even this most moderate of contests. Baily Storm is taken to win this without coming out of first gear.
Baily Storm (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, left 2nd when hampered 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead last, driven out (no time taken), won at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in May beating Classic Swain (10-12) by hd, 3 ran.
Ellandshe (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Prominent, driven along before 9th, hit next, weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, 41l behind Knockavilla (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Sierra Victor (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) In touch, in rear from 3rd, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Quick Will (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
The Green Hat (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) In rear, lost touch 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Finbin (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May, 12 ran.
Miss Sunflower 20-1 (11-7) (cp) led 8 til hdd aft 3 out; kpt on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mr Gossip (11-7) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May.
