always behind and mistakes, pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 8th, soon lost place
held up, in touch until lost place from 5 out, pulled up before last
soon chasing leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, in 3rd when stumbled badly last, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
led, headed 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up, chasing leaders 8th, led 5 out, ridden 2 out, headed flat, rallied to lead again close home
tracked leader, lost place 8th, behind when slightly hampered 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, went 2nd at 3 out, ridden and hit next, led flat, kept on and headed close home
Hirvine can come out on top against Ashleybank House, Bob Ar Agaidh and Ryders Storm, with the reappearing Jack Martin worth a mention also. Peter Bowen has had his string in good form so far this season, and Hirvine may now be ready to add to the tally, judged on the evidence so far. The six-year-old was very useful over hurdles, having got the measure of Willie John Daly at Kempton in February. The plan was to go to Cheltenham but for one reason or another, he never made it, but did run quite well in two subsequent starts, at Haydock and Kelso. At first glance, his chase debut at Chepstow looks modest to say the least, but a blunder at the fourth seemed to knock his confidence and in the end he was pulled up behind Limerick Leader. That was his first outing since May though, and he is sure to come on a bundle. Ashleybank House jumped to his left on his introduction to fences, but remains an animal of potential. Bob Ar Agaidh is sure to have been well schooled by Colin Tinkler, while Ryders Storm has a bit more experience and steps up to a more suitable trip on his second start for Sue Smith. Jack Martin has plenty of potential to do well but is best watched on his return, and we shall side with Hirvine to quickly make his mark.
