always behind, tailed off from 14th, virtually pulled up run-in
led to 5th, led again 9th, ridden 2 out, headed run-in, no extra
tracked leaders, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, driven to lead run-in, stayed on strongly
raced keen in touch, headway 11th, 3rd and weakening when fell 3 out
chased leaders, led 5th to 8th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, leda pproaching 8th to 9th, outpaced when mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
not jumoed well in rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, mistake 1st, outpaced 4 ut, rallied after next, weakened approahcing last, virtually pulled up run-in
In the novices' hunter chase, the betting is likely to prove very helpful given the shrewd nature of the Scots in this sphere, but without the benefit of that knowledge, we will side with West Coaster ahead of Just Barney Boy, Lucky Brush and Kelly Pride. West Coaster represents the strong team of David Easterby and Tom Greenall and, despite having been beaten as favourite last time, has a likeable profile for this type of race. Lucky Brush has gone well here in the past and comes here fresh from a pointing win, while Just Barney Boy has been doing better in the pointing fields of late, although he unseated his rider last time. With there not looking to be too much strength in depth to this race, Kelly Pride might prove best of the rest but, overall, the vote has to lie with West Coaster.
High Expectations (IRE) 14-1 With leader, led 3rd, headed 4th, weakened approaching 9th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Glen Warrior at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in May, 6 ran.
Highland Brig 7-1 2nd of 16, 6l behind Gudasmum at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Involved (IRE) 4-5fav pulled up in race won by Marston Moses at Weston Park 3m ptp gd in Feb '04, 14 ran.
Jupsala (FR) 10-1 ran out in race won by Cash Bonanza at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Feb, 7 ran.
Just Barney Boy 12-1 Held up, mistake 1st, headway 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Red Rampage at Newcastle 3m hts chs (H) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Kelly Pride 5-1 2nd of 10, 10l behind Ellie Bee at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Lucky Brush (IRE) 6-1 won at Point To Point 3m ptp in Feb beating Ofcoursehekhan by a distance, 11 ran.
West Coaster (IRE) 9-2fav Held up, headway approaching 11th, every chance when hit last, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Star Glow at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
