prominent, outpaced when mistake 11th, no impression from 3 out
chased leaders, weakened from 5 out, soon pulled up
held up, chased leaders approaching 10th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leader, weakened from 12th, fell 3 out
led to 6th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, led 6th, not fluent last, stayed on well
held up, headway approaching 11th, weakened approaching 11th, soon pulled up
held up mid-division, reminders after 7th, tailed off from 10th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, chased leaders 5th, no impression from 3out
held up towards rear, outpaced 10th, headway approaching 12th, chase winner 3 out, kept on from last
The market may provide some much needed clues in this early-season hunters' chase. As it is, narrow preference is for FATHER MURTAGH ahead of Pristine Condition and Rash Move. Any support for the last-named would have to be respected given his lengthy absence and previously very prolific record, however the selection showed last season that he can win a race like this. He has no problem with soft ground and is preferred for the Brewers. Pristine Condition represents a very shrewd outfit and his efforts between the flags suggest that his running when pulled up at Leicester a year ago wasn't his true running. Crack At Dawn will be fit after a recent success and looks a player, Ask Bobby tries some new headgear, whilst The Piper's Son is another who merits a close look. Father Murtagh gets the vote.
Ask Bobby 5-1 (12-5) (cp) to & pu 12, in a race won by Dix Villez (12-5) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Brookview Lad (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Ap; led 3 out til hdd bet last 2; one pce, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Special Portrait (11-7) at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp gf in May.
Cherryland 22-1 (11-9) Pulled hard, close up, outpaced 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Eliza Doalott (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Crack At Dawn (IRE) 7-2 (12-5) (cp) (tt) held up; hdwy 8; lft in ld bend bet last 2; kpt on up flat, won at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Dec beating Monkerty Tunkerty (12-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Father Murtagh (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden 4 out, outpaced from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Senora Moss (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs in May.
Fifth Column (USA) 25-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 3 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Nectar De Guye (12-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Pristine Condition 15-8 (12-5) Hdwy 15; ev ch bet last 2; unable qckn, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Grenfell (11-12) at Tabley 3m ptp gd in May.
Rash Move (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Ww; went 2nd 8; led nxt; drew clr 15; comf, won at Dunthrop 3m ptp in Mar '08 beating Tender Tangle (12-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ronan The Warrior (IRE) 16-1 (12-5) Lost tch aft mist 11, 7th of 9, 24l behind The Railway Man (12-5) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Dec.
The Piper's Son (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, dropped rear after 9th, brought down 11th, in a race won by Drybrook Bedouin (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
We're Confused 8-1 (12-0) Hdwy 11; went 2nd 15; wkng when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ask Again (12-7) at Chipley Park 3m ptp gs in Jan, 10 ran.
