always prominent, chased winner 13th until blundered 4 out, regained 2nd approaching 2 out, no impression
with leader until led approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on well
led until approaching 3rd, chased winner until blundered 13th, weakened 14th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, not fluent 9th, hit 10th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 13th
held up in touch, chased winner 4 out until approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, hit last
mid-division, headway 14th, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace
in touch, behind from 6th, jumped slowly 7th, tailed off from 11th
Nonrunner
Wild Is The Wind can see off his mainly older rivals, with Lawyer Des Ormeaux, and Best Profile seen as the main dangers. Wild Is The Wind looked a decent prospect when scoring over hurdles at Carlisle last year, but failed to cope with a rising handicap mark. It has to be said that he has not been fluent since going chasing, but there was a lot to like about his success at Towcester in May, and as he is sure to have been well schooled during his summer break, can begin to realise his true potential. Lawyer Des Ormeaux has been in good form over hurdles, and given his excellent trainer's record at getting them ready for a career over the bigger obstacles, the French-bred should go well. Big things are expected from Best Profile this term, and he should be followed whatever his fate today, while Ballyjohnboy Lord has a bit to find with the selection on Towcester running. With Tony McCoy on board, Wild Is The Wind is taken to come out on top.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 6-5fav (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent 8th, closed on winner before next, 3 lengths down when virtually fell 2 out, lost all chance, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Yes Sir (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in May.
Best Profile (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, led 4 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Here We Go (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Bronson F'sure 28-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 5th, led after 8th, ridden and headed after 10th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 33l behind Tora Bora (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs.
Dun Aengus 20-1 (10-5) Blundered 2nd, rider lost iron, in rear, jumped slowly 7th, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by General Alarm (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gf, 5 ran.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, ridden and led 2 out, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Deo Gratias (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Moonlit Harbour 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 8, 22l behind Red Man (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) In touch, mistake 8th, weakened after next, 4th of 9, well behind Wild Is The Wind (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in May.
Magnifico (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 23rd of 24, well behind Kadoun (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
