hel up in rear, pushed along 5th, headway into modest 3rd when slipped up on bend after 3 out
always rear division, struggling 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, held up, stayed on to dispute modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
chased leaders, modest 3rd when badly hampered on bend after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, disputing modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
prominent until weakened before 7th
took keen hold, always in rear, ridden and blundered 7th, no chance when slightly hampered on inside, on bend after 3 out
mistake and pushed along 4th, always in rear
reluctant to go to post, headway to go prominent 2nd, led next, blundered 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, well held before last
led until 3rd, chased leader, led again narrowly 3 out, kept slight advantage until drew clear before last, eased towards finish
raced wide, headway to chase leaders 4th, left disputing modest 3rd on bend after 3 out, weakened soon after
prominent early, in mid-division 5th, disputing poor 5th when blundered 2 out
THE RAINBOW HUNTER may be able to follow up in this company and is preferred to Sarando and Rif. Sarando ran a massive race at Plumpton and must have a huge chance if that form is taken literally but there must be some doubt about that as his previous efforts left something to be desired. Rif comfortably accounted for his rivals on his second start between the flags in Ireland and showed some ability on his Rules bow in testing conditions at Chepstow; he's entitled to improve for the experience and should be involved. Towmater is another runner with Irish point form to his name and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chance whilst Samurai Way can also get involved but preference is for the penalised runner. Andy Turnell's gelding had shown ability in two starts on top of the ground but coped admirably with slower conditions to score with something up his sleeve in a Wincanton handicap. He finished strongly suggesting that he may improve for this stiffer test and The Rainbow Hunter can pick up another pot of gold.
The Rainbow Hunter 13-2 (11-1) Keen enough, held up in mid-division, steady headway from 5th, chased leading pair 3 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan beating The Hairy Lemon (10-13) by 2l, 12 ran.
Brooks Bank (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased clear leaders, progress when not fluent 5th and weakening when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fiendish Flame (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb '09, 10 ran.
Chosen Native (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on steadily from next, never in contention, 4th of 14, 23l behind Vino Griego (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Constant Cupid (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, dropped rear after 6f, tailed off, 13th of 15, 50l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Goring One (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Not fluent, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Goring Two (IRE) 150-1 (10-11) Never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Hurricane Electric (IRE) 250-1 (11-0) Mistakes, pulled hard, held up on outside, headway 3rd, mistake 6th, behind from 4 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Peveril (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Mr Valentino (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, weaknened approaching last, 5th of 12, 17l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Rif (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Sarando 33-1 (11-4) With leader, led after 5th, under pressure from 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Towmater 5-1 (11-7) Alw pr, ld 2out, went on to 3l adv last & lft clr, won at Necarne 3m ire ptp fm in May '08 beating Thom Thom (11-7) by 11l, 10 ran.
Jordan 14-1 (10-2) Held up in 6th, hit 3rd, ridden and went poor 3rd soon after 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 8, 40l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '08.
Samurai Way 15-8fav (11-4) Held up in touch, challenged 3 out, not quicken after 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dinarius (11-9) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
