in touch, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
held up behind, hit 8th, steady headway from next, led on bit after 2 out, quickened clear flat, readily
chased leaders until weakened approaching 10th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, hampered 3rd, ridden and blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led 7th until 11th, led after 13th, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on but not pace of winner
led until 3rd, chased leaders until weakened after 13th
always towards rear
in touch, ridden after 10th, weakening when blundered 3 out
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, blundered 6th, weakened approaching 11th
led 3rd until 7th, led 11th, headed after 13th, soon weakened
dwelt, always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
A cracking good hunter chase can go to Hermes Iii ahead of Irbee and Red Brook Lad, with a number of others worthy of consideration. Hermes Iii is the highest-rated of these on official ratings and the Mick Easterby-trained inmate rattled up a hat-trick of wins between May and December 2002, including once over course and distance. He looks to hold solid claims here. The Paul Nicholls-trained Irbee, fourth in last season's Aintree Foxhunters, remains smart at this level. Red Brook Lad came good in a couple of spring hunter chases last year and, still only nine, is entitled to be improving. Route One is consistent in races of this type, but this is a little more competitive than his usual level. Westerton has a similar profile. Bosuns Mate was decent under Rules in 2001 but we prefer others today. Esprit de Cotte was useful under Rules a couple of years back but is probably not quite up to that level now. Good Time Melody showed plenty of promise at Wincanton last time when returning from injury, while recent point winner Hot Plunge is certainly young enough to be an improver in this sphere. As we say, it's a very good hunter chase, one in which we give the nomination to Hermes Iii.
