tracked leading pair, blundered 3 out, lost place when mistake next, weakened and pulled up before last
tracked leader virtualy throughout, led before last, ridden and stayed on well to go clear flat (no time taken)
behind, outpaced 2 out, never dangerous, tailed off
tracked leaders, headway 2 out, soon challenged, led on long run to last, headed before last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no chance with winner
led, headed on long run to last, soon ridden and lost place, weakened before last
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up behind, headway into mid-division 4th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on into 3rd on long run to last, weakened and not fluent last
mid-division, driven and outpaced on long run to last, never near leaders
behind, struggling 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in rear, not fluent 4th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
An interesting race to conclude matters at Hexham and CHIEF BUCANEER is selected to get the better of Solway Sam and Soulard. The last-named comes here on a hat-trick after wins at both Sandown and Ascot over similar trips. There is no doubt that he is the class horse in the race here, and trainer Tom George may have found a good opportunity to exploit his novice status over hurdles. However, the yard's runners are not fully firing at the moment, while the ground is plenty soft enough for him, so there are reasons for us to take him on. Solway Sam has to be taken seriously, having twice won on good to soft. There have been good reasons as to why he has flopped on both starts over this far in the past, but now his fitness is proven he looks well capable of getting home over this distance and is respected. Ain't She The Lady acts in these conditions and over the trip, though she is proving tricky enough to win with and we will side with Chief Bucaneer. His trainer has his string in good form at present, with recent successes including this seven-year-old's Wetherby win last month. He carries a penalty for that today, but he showed a very good attitude with that debut hurdling win and with plenty of improvement possible he looks the most solid option today.
Chief Bucaneer (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) In touch and mistakes, 2nd approaching and blundered 3 out, challenging when hit last, ridden flat, led towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating The Magic Bishop (10-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Solway Sam 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead last 100 yards, stayed on well, driven out, won at Perth 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Rubipresent (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Alexander Oats 100-1 (10-11) Held up, not fluent 6th, always towards rear, 7th of 10, 30l behind Kilbrannish Hill (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Patriot (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, blundered and reminder 4th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, never on terms, 5th of 9, 12l behind Hi Dancer (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Soulard (USA) 2-1fav (11-12) Made all, dived at 8th, not fluent 12th, over 3 lengths clear last, kept on well flat, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Free World (11-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Disputed lead, lost place 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Meanus Dandy (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Wave Power (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) With leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 9, 8l behind Samizdat (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Aint She The Lady (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, tailed off from 10th, forced to pull up before 2 out by fallen horse, in a race won by Tora Bora (10-2) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Bach Street Girl (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, modest 7th before 3 out, stayed on to dispute 4th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 27l behind Cashel Bay (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Apr.
Indienne Etoile 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, weakened 6th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Chief Bucaneer (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
