took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd next, not fluent 9th, ridden after 3 out, led approaching last, clear flat, all out
led until approaching 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, lost 2nd last stride
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 5th or 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders until pushed alonh and lost place 3rd, reminder after 5th, behind from next
tracked leaders, bumped 2nd, pushed along 8th, disputing 2nd approaching 3 out, no impression in 3rd next, plugged on flat to take 2nd last stride
tracked leaders, jumped right and bumped rival 2nd, soon last, jumped left 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
BUSHWACKER is given the vote to break his maiden tag over fences at the expense of Hereweareagain and Himalayan Express. The selection has had an up and down career so far and is still winless in eleven attempts but he caught the eye after finishing second behind Passato at Exeter last time out. A reproduction of that form will see him go close. Hereweareagain is only lightly raced and will give the selection most to worry about. He ran a fair race to finish second at Newton Abbot in March but has since disappointed in a couple of races and doesn't look all that willing. Himalayan Express has some form in the point to point field last season but has failed to live up to expectations and is worth treating with caution. Bushwacker has more ticks in his boxes compared to the majority of his rivals and looks the percentage call.
Bushwacker (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Chased leaders in 4th, pecked 3rd, mistake next, 3rd after 8th, 2nd and not fluent 2 out, kept on flat, readily held, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Passato (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Delgany Gunner 150-1 (10-12) In rear, blundered 2nd, struggling from 8th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Circus Of Dreams (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs.
Hereweareagain (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven to hold place after 7th, led 3 out, narrrowly headed after last, one pace in 3rd when squeezed out final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 5l behind Double The Trouble (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Himalayan Express 10-1 (12-0) in a race won by Madam Molly (11-7) at Kingston Blount 2m 5f ptp gd, 12 ran.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, took keen hold, last before 6th, hit next, soon weakened, left remote 3rd 8th, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Freddies Return (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft in Mar.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place and in rear approaching 4th, 6th of 7, well behind Purely By Chance (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Byzantina Fair 100-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 4th, stumbled next, hit 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Queen Poline (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
