made virtually all, clear 3 out, ridden out flat, unchallenged
jumped left throughout, tracked leaders, chased winner 16th, 5 lengths down and no impression, blundered 3 out
in rear, mistake 8th, soon pushed along, tailed off when pulled up after 13th
with winner to 7th, reminders and lost touch 12th, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out
in touch, chased winner 7th to 16th, soon outpaced, distance 3rd when refused 2 out
Galapiat Du Mesnil just has Mr Mahdlo to beat, with Starbuck there to capitalise on any mishaps by the two main contenders. A disappointing turnout of just five assemble for the hunter chase, and on the evidence of his latest effort, Galapiat Du Mesnil can prove the answer. His last win under rules was in May 2002, and he has yet to score in hunter-chase company, but having contested the cross-country race at Cheltenham, he found Taunton much more to his liking when chasing home Sir D'Orton, and the extra two furlongs here will suit him. Mr Mahdlo has been in good form of late, winning a couple of point-to-points and showing his well being with a victory at Sedgefield and a good second at Kelso last time. Whether he is good enough to give five-pounds to the selection is open to question though. Starbuck was second in a maiden hunter chase at Kelso and has it to do, but seemed to jump well last time and should get round at least, while the rest are hard to fancy. Although connections have said in the past that he needs better ground, Galapiat Du Mesnil does handle soft conditions and can turn back the clock to score.
Mr Mahdlo 4-1 Led to 2nd, tracked leader, mistake 10th, challenged 3 out, ridden and outpaced apporoaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 20l behind Monty's Quest at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs.
Galapiat du Mesnil (FR) 6-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader from 4 out, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sir d'Orton at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gf.
Mackenzie (IRE) 50-1 Behind, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Indy Mood at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Oct, 15 ran.
Mr Cooney (IRE) 100-1 Always behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Star Of Raven at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft in Feb '04, 15 ran.
Starbuck 4-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge last, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Dun Rose at Kelso 3m 1f mdn hts chs (H) gs.
