pulled hard, soon prominent, hit 5th, led 2 out, flashed tail flat, ridden out
prominent, led after 8th, clear after 4 out until ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last
in touch, blundered 7th, ridden 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
in touch, hit 8th, headway 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
held up, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along 6th, weakened 11th
led, hit 7th, headed after next, mistake 12th and 14th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 9th, fell 12th
prominent to 4th, soon behind
This is a tricky hunter chase to need the card and we will give a narrow vote to Reasonably Sure, with Bill Haze, Lady Baronette and Bonny Boy all capable of playing their part. David Easterby's six-year-old is a model of consistency in the point to point sphere and ran well under rules at Ludlow last time out. He rallied well under today's rider to finish a close second behind The Butterwick Kid and a similar effort today should suffice. Bill Haze finished second on this course last time and should be suited by this longer trip. Bonny Boy has a similar level of form and could be good each-way value. However Lady Baronette looks to the the main danger to the selection having landed a decent point last time. So as you can see a pretty open contest, and Reasonably Sure is an aptly named choice.
Bill Haze 33-1 (11-7) Led, hung left approaching 6th, headed 3 out, ridden, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 24l behind Raregem (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft.
Bonny Boy (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 4, behind Cannon Bridge (12-7) at Erw Lon 3m ptp sft.
Green Smoke 7-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, hit first, blundered 11th and 12th, in 3rd when pulled up 3 out in race won by Strongtrooper (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jun '03, 7 ran.
Lord Of The Bog (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) 2nd of 13, 10l behind Ballyvaden (12-0) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Our Bill 20-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by On The Forty (12-0) at Weston Park 3m ptp gf in Jan, 11 ran.
Pollerton Run (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Gemster (11-7) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd, 16 ran.
Ramirez (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) won at Welbeck 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Ourman (12-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In touch, effort 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind The Butterwick Kid (11-6) at Newcastle 3m hts chs (6) sft.
Solar King 33-1 (12-0) 6th of 11, 21l behind Unmistakably (12-7) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd.
Talioso (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) won at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd in Jan '05 beating Castleford (12-0) by 15l, 16 ran.
Wyle Post (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) 3rd of 11, 19l behind Lucky Wyn (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gf in May.
Lady Baronette 4-7fav (11-7) won at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Jan beating Dursey Island (12-0) by 15l, 3 ran.
