led, jumped right 4 out, soon headed, one pace from next
mid-division, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 12th, no impression from next
tracked leader when fell 1st
mid-division when fell 1st
held up, headway 11th, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, outpaced 12th, behind when unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
tracked leader to 10th, soon lost place, behind from 5 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, outpaced 5 out, 6th and beaten, fell 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division on inside, headway 5 out, led after next, soon clear easily
swerved right start, raced keenly in rear, lost touch 8th, pulled up before next
behind when tried to run out, unseated rider bend after 6th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This has the look of a very trappy contest and so a sporting vote is given to Waking Ned, Preston Brook, Kyper Disco and Plutocrat are all worth a mention. Waking Ned was successful over hurdles in Ireland back in March of last year and has since landed a pont to point. He should have no problems with these regulation fences and a big run is expected. Kyper Disco performed with credit in maiden chases last summer and does have ground and trip in his favour. Preston Brook is a reliable enough type in points and hunter chases and may well reach the frame. Plutocrat is another winning pointer that has to enter calculations, along with the youngster Fifth Column. So in a race where we suggest keeping the stakes low, Waking Ned is just given the nod.
Kyper Disco (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Caveman (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd in Jun.
Plutocrat 15-2 (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, in 3rd when mistake 3 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Imps Way (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 7f hts chs (3) gf in May.
Preston Brook 5-1 (12-0) A.p; led 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp beating Sad Mad Bad (12-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Sandy Gold (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Led to 5th, prominent until weakened after 10th, 6th of 9, 41l behind Herecomestanley (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Oct.
Sweeping Storm (IRE) 3-1 (12-4) Last & outpcd 15; went 3rd flat; stayed on, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sir Alf (12-7) at Mordon 3m ptp gd in May.
Vital Spark 6-1 (12-0) Led til hdd & wknd 2 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Preston Brook (12-0) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp.
Waking Ned (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) A.p; led app 3 out; sn clr; impressive, won at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Hot Plunge (11-0) by 25l, 8 ran.
Waltzing Along (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Mid-division, reminders 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Magic Box (9-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
