led to 6th, hit next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly
prominent, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
behind, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 6th, ridden to lead last, edged left last, all out
prominent to 7th, soon behind
held up, headway 8th, weakened after 2 out
always behind, blundered 2 out
mid-division, ridden and lost place 6th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, led 6th, ridden and headed last, ran on
always behind
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on
in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Mac Hine can land this prize at the expense of Star Prize, Doof and Brigadier Benson. Although eight years of age, Mac Hine does not actually have too many miles on the clock. A useful chaser on his day, he is yet to win a prize over the smaller obstacles and in a modest race, the decision to pothunt appears a sensible one. While an absence from the track is always a worry - the O'Neill horses have been noticeably fit on a return to the track and they have at least been visiting the winners' enclosure. Doof showed his first ever hint of ability when landing valuable prize money for Martin Pipe last week. He stole the race at an early juncture so it is questionable whether the jockeys will be so surprised on this occasion by this tactic. Star Prize looks the type who might make a chaser so it is a surprise that he is still racing over hurdles at this stage in his career. Brigadier Brown hails from a yard who are very much in-form. He has always raced as if a step up in trip will be the making of him and his plight is dutifully followed in the betting jungle. Presenting Alf looks to have it to do on balance but Sue Smith's runners invariably give a good account of themselves here. Mac Hine should be fit enough to do himself justice at this level.
Doof (IRE) 14-1 Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd beating Nick's Choice by 11l, 11 ran.
Star Prize (IRE) 7-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 40l behind Go For Bust at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (D) gd in Mar.
Swifts Hill (IRE) 16-1 Led until headed approaching 7th, outpaced approaching 2 out, ran on again to take 2nd approaching last, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Underwriter at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (E) gd.
Mac Hine (IRE) 12-1 Held up, headway 5th, chasing leaders when badly hampered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Forest Gunner at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Brigadier Benson (IRE) 15-2 Held up mid-division, ridden to take closer order after 5th, stayed on, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Damarisco at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 4-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened after next, 6th of 12, 37l behind Croix De Guerre at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (D) gd in Jul.
Presenting Alf (IRE) 16-1 Led, jumped right 1st, headed approaching 5th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 34l behind Baron Monty at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Random Precision (IRE) 12-1 Led, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 38l behind Mystery at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Dec.
