chased leaders, mistake 3rd, close up when fell 5th
jumped badly, held up in rear, blundered 5th, 11th and 12th, in touch in rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
chased leader, one pace when not much room 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, hampered 5th, hit 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, challeneged 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, steady headway for 13th, led 3 out, soon well clear, stayed on well
led, hit 5th, reminders and 8th (water) headed 3 out, no chance with winner
tracked leader, mistake 9th and 13th, joined leader next., every chance when not much room and hampered 3 out, pulled up before next
Bolachoir, Oh Braga and Joyryder are the three that make most appeal here with the latter selected. Bolachoir has looked very good in winning two Hunter Chases at Sandown and could turn out to be a well handicapped horse but he has to concede weight to some useful sorts here and we're happy to oppose him. Appleaday is well worth a mention as he produced an excellent performance to beat all bar the progressive Island Flyer over course and distance last time. However, he faces contrasting conditions today, has been handed a 5lb rise and has had a few opportunities. Oh Braga is a stablemate of Island Flyer who scored in handicap company on his chase bow at this course so any market support for Tom George's runner, who boasts a similar profile, would be of interest. He has plenty to prove though unlike the selection who only needed to be driven out to score at Warwick on his first attempt at 3 miles. He has gone up by 9lbs for the win but the form looks solid and he relished the stiffer test and drying ground. Faced with similar conditions today, he looks to be in pole position and Joyryder can take the checkered flag.
Bolachoir (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) In touch, led 16th, joined 3 out, left clear 2 out, ran on, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) gd in Mar beating Turthen (11-11) by 13l, 11 ran.
Wogan 16-1 (11-4) Jumped right, mistake 1st, always towards rear, behind when fell at the 10th in race won by Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
Joyryder 8-11fav (11-0) Made all, went right and hit 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (4) gd in Feb beating Commemoration Day (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Shardakhan (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Appleaday (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, hit 1st, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd run-in, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Georges Boy (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Led, mistake 1st, headed 18th, weakened 4 out, mistake 2 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Petite Margot (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Oh Braga (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Led after 1st, headed approaching 2nd, chased leader until ridden 3 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 14l behind Dovedale (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
