with leader, led 3rd, headed 11th, led again 12th, headed next, ridden along 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 15th
held up, mistake 6th, closer order 10th, led 5 out, ridden and weakened when headed before 3 out
held up, led 14th, headed 5 out, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approachingh 13th, kept on from 3 out, went 2nd on flat, no chance with winner
held up in touch, took closer order 9th, ridden to lead 3 out, stayed on well from next
chased leaders until lost chase when mistake 7th, struggling from 13th, pulled up before 15th
led, headed 3rd, remained close up, led again 11th, headed next, led again 13th, headed 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, soon tailed off
A slightly disappointing turnout given the going but lets hope that there are more finishers than just the one who came home last year. The weights are headed by ex-Hunter Sulphur Springs. He disappointed over 3m4f for Pipe in a Hunter Chase at Stratford and while the Nicholshayne maestro is no stranger to landing a tilt, it is asking a lot after such a long absence. Native Buck hails from a very much in-form yard and this horse should have no problems in handling the trip. Any further rain that falls between now and post time will far from inconvenience. We will side with Kieran. He has been running consistently well of late and while he has the tendency to hit the odd fence, he looks to have been campaigned with this race in mind and should give us a good run for our money. Tyndarius has done little wrong this year but had to be severely driven out to get the better of Spendid over 3m2f at Doncaster. Trusting Tom has had his fair share of training troubles and while his fitness is taken on trust, he has a useful amateur pilot booked. Celioso is yet to prove that he conclusively stays while Free To Run and Cromwell both produced modest efforts behind Fin Bec in an event over an extended 3m4f in November. Random Harvest is a game old stick even at the age of fourteen. He enjoys his racing and while there is no problem with his fencing, connections will be pleased if he hits the frame. The progressive Kieran is given the nod in another difficult race.
