tracked leader, led 9th, headed 5 out, led again and fell heavily 3 out
towards rear, headway 7th to track leading pair, mistake 14th, left 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra from 2 out
in touch, ridden when mistake 10th, soon beaten
held up, jumped slowly 6th, plugged on to be left poor 3rd 3 out
led, headed 9th, close up when fell well
tracked leaders, led 5 out, left in lead 3 out, ridden out
Consistency is a great virtue in races of this nature and BACK NINE has an abundance of solid efforts to his name; Baodai and Fruitfull Citizen make the most appeal out of the rest. Fruitfull Citizen is yet to taste success over regulation fences but has a great record in point-to-points for Lucy Jones. The rider's 7lb claim can help and a bold effort can be expected. Baodai - a former Hobbs inmate - also has a wealth of experience and was responsible for providing Nico de Boinville with his first winner as a jockey between the flags. This is a tougher assignment but this enthusiastic pairing should not be underestimated. However, Back Nine has a stronger profile when it comes to events of this nature and, having won this in good style last year, he is very hard to oppose in his bid for back-to-back successes.
Back Nine (IRE) 9-4fav (12-3) Went prominent 4th, led 6th to 8th, led 11th, headed 4 out, still every chance between last 2, 3 lengths 2nd and held when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Armoury House (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Baodai (FR) 2-1 (12-7) W wnr to 9; chsd wnr 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Trade Off (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Apr.
Good Man Again (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden and struggling 11th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Twenty Degrees (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) fm in Apr.
Mcsolo 5-2 (12-0) Led to 5; led 8; drvn out, won at Vauterhill 3m ptp beating Jaunty Janner (12-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
The Sneakster (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In tch til wknd 14, 6th of 9, 31l behind The General Lee (11-0) at Cold Harbour 3m ptp.
Fruitfull Citizen (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, kept on at own pace, 5th of 14, 27l behind Bob Bites Back (11-5) at Chepstow 3m nov hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Maddie's Dream (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Bhnd til pu 5, in a race won by Sub Artic (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp, 13 ran.
