pressed leader until hit 2nd, in touch, chased winner after 3 out until after last, no extra flat
chased leaders, outpaced 10th, reminders 12th, stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression
led, headed after 7th, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, chased leader 4th, mistake and rider lost iron 7th, soon lost place, behind when jumped left from 12th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
blundered 1st and 2nd, behind, took keen hold and rapid headway to join winner after 7th, lost 2nd after 3 out, stayed on to regain 2nd after last, no chance with winner
always prominent, led after 7th, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
behind, mistake 2nd and 7th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
Herons Well kept good company in hunter chases last year after winning at Fontwell. This trip may be on the sharp side for him nowadays but he shouldn't be ignored while Ollie Magern is still capable of putting up a bold show, despite his advancing years. Putney Bridge and Blackstaff both have impressive records between the flags but lack a recent run unlike GWANAKO. Formerly with Paul Nicholls, the nine-year-old is now with leading point-to-point trainer Richard Barber and can build on his recent second to Description at Larkhill.
Herons Well (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, joined and went right 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied last, no extra and lost 2 places close home, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Southwestern (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 50-1 (12-1) Behind, headway into mid-division on inside 5th, outpaced 12th, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 38l behind Chapoturgeon (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs in Jan.
Ollie Magern 20-1 (11-4) Headway to lead 4th, headed 8th, not fluent next, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, well behind Tartak (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec '10.
Putney Bridge 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, jumped left 9th, led bypassing omitted 4 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Grand Slam Hero (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul '10.
Blackstaff (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up behind, hampered 5th, headway halfway, effort on outside approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace next, 4th and no impression last, 5th of 17, 15l behind Dammam (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (3) gf in May.
Gwanako (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Ap; chsd wnr 2 out; no imp, 2nd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Description (11-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Jan.
Jamadiel (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Ww in rr, gd prog final cct, eff to chall 2out, no ex from last, ko, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Backstage (12-0) at Ballydarragh 3m ire ptp.
Latalanta (FR) 33-1 (12-5) Hdwy 7; wknd 3 out, 5th of 9, 32l behind Flowersoftherarest (12-5) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Dec.