close up, blundered when challenged 11th, one pace
prominent, mistake 12th, weakening when mistake 4 out
in rear, badly hampered, unseated rider 10th
close up, quickly pulled up after 8th
held up, outpaced 11th, rallied next, chased winner approaching 4 out, one pace
held up in touch, disputing 4th and down 3 lengths when fell 10th
close up when fell 1st
made all, hit 3 out, ridden and 5 lengths clear when hit 2 out, not fluent last, driven out
An interesting contest here where Forager is taken to follow up his Plumpton win, while Reckless Venture and No Complaint look next best. The selection was an easy winner on bottomless ground at the Sussex track last time and with just a 7lb penalty to shoulder he looks more than capable of following up with conditions again to suit. Reckless Venture is chasing a hat-trick and relishes these conditions, having won back-to-back races at Hexham on soft and heavy, both over 2m 5f. The handicapper has not missed those successes though and a 12lb rise will make this plenty tough enough. No Complaint was a heavy ground scorer last summer and is from an in-form yard, so from a mark 3lb higher than that success he can be very competitive. Noble Billy stays at least as far as this and has going to suit so shouldn't be far away, and with only Cavers Glen bang out of form, there is nothing else that can be totally ruled out. Forager is taken to score.
Ocarina (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, clear when mistake last, ridden and kept on until no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ryminster (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
No Complaint (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) Led, headed 12th, ridden when mistake 3 out, switched left and every chance 2 out, held from last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Noble Bily (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Buckland Gold (10-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Forager 17-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 3 out, soon in command, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy beating Explosive Fox (11-9) by 12l, 8 ran.
Cavers Glen 33-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, reminders halfway, never dangerous, 7th of 11, well behind Super Road Train (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 3-1fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, drew clear from last, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Neidpath Castle (10-12) by 27l, 12 ran.
Woodview (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure flat, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Reckless Venture (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up behind, headway 12th, challenged 4 out, led before next, 2 lengths clear last, ridden, drifted right flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Shulmin (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Mar.
