in rear, reminders and lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
always prominent, headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead flat
led, ridden between last 2, kept on until headed and no extra, flat
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no impression approaching last
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and effort between last 2, kept on
mid-division, reminder 7th, outpaced 11th, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
mid-division, some headway 10th, no impression when hampered 2 out
mid-division, lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th and beaten when fell 2 out
A competitive hunter chase gets proceedings underway and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Wilfie Wild, Summer Stock and Fifth Column and the narrow vote is given to Summer Stock. The selection won well last time out when beating Tom The Piper in good style in a point, this looks tougher but he has one of the better riders booked and with the ground in his favour he looks the value bet. Wilfie Wild rates the main danger on his latest third behind Plutocrat but he gets minimal assistance from the saddle and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Fifth Column is another that could go well on his latest second behind Super Nomad but that form has since been let down and he looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Monte Cristo is from a yard in form and could go well at a price while Billie John has conditions to suit but all his best form is over a longer trip and for the winner we return to Summer Stock.
Billie John (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) In tch til wknd 14, 7th of 8, 24l behind Astral Prince (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Del Trotter (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) (cp) prom til led 2 out; nrly, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Sikander A Azam (13-1) at Charm Park 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Fifth Column (USA) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked winner from 4th, carried left on bend after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Super Nomad (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf in Apr.
Monte Cristo (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Led 15 til hdd last; outpcd flat, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Hermes III (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Summer Stock (USA) 1-4fav (12-5) (ts) made virt all; qcknd clr flat, won at Witton Castle 3m ptp frm beating Tom The Piper (12-5) by 3l, 2 ran.
Wilfie Wild 8-1 (11-7) Jumped slowly 1st, held up, headway 4 out, challenged next, every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Plutocrat (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 7f hts chs (6) gf.
Woodenbridge Dream (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Pams Oak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 12 ran.
Wrapitup (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Led to 7; mist 14; eff 3 out; outpcd flat, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Gabla (11-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp frm.