tracked leaders in 4th, headway before 3 out, led soon after, ridden and headed before last, kept on
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed soon after, weakened before last
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders and weakened from 4 out, tailed off next
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before last, kept on well
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened 3 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, stayed on before last, no impression
Irish point-to-point winner CLOUDY JOKER was a satisfactory third of five on his NHF debut, beaten less than 3l by Henllan Harri over 2m and the step-up to 2m4f seems a logical move, Improvement should be forthcoming as his attentions are turned to hurdles and he can take this on the way to better things. Vivona Hill was highly thought of when landing two bumper contests back in 2008 for the Swinbank team and now has his first run for Nicky Richards after an absence dating back to December 2011. Connections presumably feel some ability remains and it will be intriguing to see if there's any market support for him. Tantamount failed to win on the level for Roger Charlton and has yet to sparkle since joining Lucinda Russell but he's only four and could yet improve with time and experience. Irish invader Sultana Belle completes the short-list.
Butney Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, no extra from before 3 out, 11th of 14, 36l behind Blue Cannon (11-6) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase gf in Jun.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Henllan Harri (11-2) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf.
Dynamic Drive (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Led, hit 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Goal (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Tim's Approach (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) In touch and in rear, went 3rd after 3rd, struggling from 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Goal (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Vivona Hill 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Gleann Na Ndochais (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec '11, 12 ran.
Tantamount 14-1 (10-3) Held up in last trio, headway to 4th when hit 5th, driven 2 out, went modest 4th flat, 4th of 7, 19l behind Bayan (11-3) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Aintnosanityclause (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out into moderate 8th, kept on one pace in straight, 6th of 16, 19l behind Theonewiththeleg (10-10) at Sligo 2m mdn hdl gd.
Sultana Belle (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden in 8th 2 out and no impression in 6th before last, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 17l behind King High (11-8) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 gd.
Bella Montagna 40-1 (10-5) In rear, not fluent and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Dantes King (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 4 ran.
