tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place from 10th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 3rd, clear after 2 out, kept on well
led to 3rd, tracked leader, stumbled badly 11th and lost 2nd place, weakened before 2 out
in rear and in touch, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd from 12th, kept on and no impression with winner from 2 out
Butney Island, a very moderate point-to-pointer, won a maiden hurdle on fast going at Newton Abbot in May then ran a shocker at Fontwell the following month. He makes his debut over regulation fences but TANIT RIVER has already had two starts over the bigger obstacles. Three times a winner over hurdles, he chased home Mr Burgess at Uttoxeter a couple of weeks ago when the remainder were in another parish so a 2lb rise shouldn't prevent him going one better. Iora Glas ran his best race to date over fences at Chepstow last month though there was some give in the ground and he could do with some rain. Wait A Second was beaten a long way in that later event and it's difficult to see a form reversal.
Butney Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, left 3rd when slightly hampered 2 out, no impression, weakened last, 3rd of 9, dist behind El Bandit (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun.
Tanit River (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Towards rear, blundered 6 out, headway 4 out, ridden and in 3rd before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Mr Burgees (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Iora Glas (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5 out, outpaced next, ridden and no impression with winner 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Thegreendalerocket (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Wait A Second (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway after 17th, chased leaders 5 out, outpaced next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 34 3/4l behind Thegreendalerocket (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.