in touch, ridden 4 out, weakening approaching 2 out, hampered, no further impression
in touch, lost place 7th never a factor after
mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, soon driven along, ridden 10th, weakened 13th, pulled up before last
mid-division, lost touch 9th, tailed off and very tired when unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, headway 8th, tracked leaders, weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out
with leader, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
made most, ridden 3 out, fading approaching last, headed close home
tracked leaders, weakened 12th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, mistake last, weakened flat
keen in rear, weakened 10th, lost touch 12th
ran in snatches in mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
towards rear, headway 11th, soon ridden, kept on under pressure to lead close home
towards rear, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, 4 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out
in rear, mistake 6th, pulled up after 8th
A competitive hunter chase can go to Darnil over the likes of My Best Buddy, Young Thruster, Old Kilminchy and Moscow Court to name but a few. There is plenty of winning form to go one here but it must be remembered that a lot of it has been gained between the flags. Darnil, trained by Sheila Crowe, is one such animal who has been impressive to say the least, and he duly justified odds-on favouritism when scoring at the Sandon point-to-point in April. With the vastly experienced Richard Burton in the plate, he should make a bold bid to open his account under rules. My Best Buddy gained his first success under rules when accounting for Coole Glen here in April and will be more suited to today's longer trip, so has to be respected. Young Thruster was second to Bosham Mill over four miles and a furlong at Cheltenham so we know that he has stamina, while Old Kilminchy also ran well at Cheltenham a fortnight ago, and his stable has been in good form. Moscow Court ran well in defeat here the time before last but would perhaps be more fancied on softer going. Deckie has plenty of ability but also has a mind of his own and is best treated with caution, so we return to Darnil as the pick of the bunch.
Deckie (IRE) 2-5fav (12-7) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Fakenham 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Westfield John (12-0) by 10l, 6 ran.
Old Kilminchy (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, closer order 8th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Derrintogher Yank (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd.
My Best Buddy 9-4 (11-11) Prominent, led 9th to 10th, ridden to lead again 2 out, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Coole Glen (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Young Thruster (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In touch, close up when nearly carried out approaching 18th, chased winner from 3 out, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 15, 25l behind Bosham Mill (12-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Darnil (IRE) 1-3fav (12-7) won at Sandon 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Pot Shot (12-0) by a , 3 ran.
Moscow Court (IRE) 9-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 15th, ridden and every chance from 4 out, edged right flat, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 8, 3/4l behind Tsar's Twist (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 1f hts chs (5) gf in Apr.
Tooley Park 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders from 15th, every chance 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Latzod'alm (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Garden Feature 11-10fav (11-7) won at Alnwick 4m ptp gf in Apr beating Passing Danger (12-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
