mid-division, headway 10th, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, driven clear last, stayed on well
led, jumped left 4th, headed after 3 out, rallied next, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, jumped left 7th, lost place after 9th, behind 12th, pulled up soon after 4 out
mid-division, under pressure 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, headway before 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway when blundered badly 2 out, no danger after
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied after next, ran on, never reached winner
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, driven after 3 out, weakening when blundered badly last
behind, blundered 8th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after next
This is a fascinating novices’ chase which should provide plenty of clues for the months ahead. Third Wind won three of his four starts over hurdles last season, including a Grade 3. Hughie Morrison is wasting no time putting him over fences but he will not have encountered going this quick before. Deyrann de Carjac, Whatmore and Erick Le Rouge have already won over the larger obstacles. The latter was prolific over hurdles and looks the pick of that trio, though all carry 5lb extra. Pym and Zubayr were both more than useful over timber and warrant respect while El Presente should make a better chaser than hurdler. COTSWOLD WAY won four times over hurdles and has the physical attributes to make a chaser. Trip and ground look ideal and he shouldn’t be far away if putting in a clear round.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 6 out, jumped left 2 out, clear before run-in, eased towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) sft in May beating William Of Orange (10-12) by 13l, 5 ran.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, led soon after last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) sft in Oct beating Not That Fuisse (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.
Whatmore 2-9fav (11-0) Led early and keen, not fluent, narrow 2nd when left in lead and clear from 4 out, hampered by loose last 3 fences, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in May beating Tanrudy (11-0) by 22l, 3 ran.
Boldmere 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 7th, no impression on winner 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Ask Dillon (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f (4) gs in Apr.
Cotswold Way (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, went 4th before last, no impression, one pace, 4th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Dashel Drasher (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
El Presente 10-1 (11-11) With leader, led after 2nd, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Souriyan (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Eskendash (USA) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, plugged on run-in, never on terms, 5th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Dino Velvet (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Pym (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced on outside 2 out, ridden between last 2, never threatened leaders, 11th of 24, 19 1/4l behind Early Doors (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Third Wind 9-1 (11-5) Held up and behind, good headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, switched out and hit last, went 2nd and ran on well towards finish, led post, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating One For Rosie (11-12) by shd, 18 ran.
Zubayr (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, progress into 2nd 3 out, every chance after next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Chapmanshype (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
