chased leaders until weakened 4 out
chased leaders, slightly outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well to lead near finish
prominent until 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, some headway halfway, weakening when mistake 15th
made most to 13th, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra
in touch, headway halfway, soon ridden, weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
with leader, led 13th, mistake 4 out, headed after 2 out, no extra under pressure
towards rear, went 4th after 4 out, no further progress
High Expectations is improving with each run and can land this competitive hunter chase, Ask Bobby and Anshan Spirit are also expected to go close. The selection chased home Coomakista at Kelso last time, plugging on well in the closing stages to get within six lengths of the winner. With ground and trip again ideal a big run can be expected. Anshan Spirit was a further twelve lengths behind in that contest. She did go off at a decent clip and if ridden with more restraint this afternoon she could get a lot closer. Ask Bobby landed a point to point in good style last time and can make a bold bid in his first race under rules. Highland Brig is another to warrant plenty of respect, but High Expectations appears to be getting better and better and is our sporting choice.
High Expectations (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Coomakista (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs.
Highland Brig 16-1 (11-3) Mistakes in rear, soon behind, kept on one pace from 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 19l behind Coomakista (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs.
Just A Man 7-2 (12-3) 5th of 13, 26l behind Charlies Memory (12-0) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gd.
Scenic Storm (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) won at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gd beating Sajomi Rona (12-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Anshan Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Led and soon clear, mistake 11th, headed 3 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Coomakista (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs.
Queenies Girl 5-2 (11-7) 4th of 9, well behind April Spirit (11-7) at Stainton 3m ptp gd.
Ask Bobby 7-4jt-fav (12-0) won at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Essennbee (12-0) by a nk, 10 ran.
Tinarana Lord (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Held up; went 2nd aft 15; wknd aft blun last, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Darnil (12-7) at Alpraham 3m ptp gd in Mar.