tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until 11th, blundered next, 2nd again after 13th, led after 3 out, mistake 2 out, drew clear
in touch, pushed along after 13th, weakened 4 out, mistake 2 out
led to 2nd, led approaching 4th, mistake 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, beaten when mistake 2 out
raced keenly, led 2nd until before 4th, lost place 9th, well behind from 12th, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden after 10th, went remote 3rd when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, hit 7th, went 2nd 11th until after 13th, weakening when mistake 14th, mistake 16th
prominent 2nd, lost place after 3rd, no chance from 14th, mistake 2 out
TAKE THE STAND can take compensation for missing the Foxhunters' cut by getting the better of Wild Is The Wind and Waynesworld amongst others. Peter Bowen's veteran once made the frame in a Gold Cup before embarking on his new career which saw him voted Hunter Chaser of The Year last term following three victories. He was being aimed at Cheltenham so is sure to be primed to run a big race. Wild Is The Wind has his fitness to prove but he enjoyed a fruitful time of things in this discipline last term, winning his final two starts at Market Rasen and Bangor and merits respect. Waynesworld was the winner of six chases under Rules in his time and is considered on his return from a break with his yard's horses running well enough. The market is often revealing in these heats and should be checked but Take The Stand may well head it and will do for us.
Petitjean 12-1 (11-13) Behind from 5th, never dangerous, 11th of 13, well behind Mcevoy (12-6) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs.
Take The Stand (IRE) 15-2 (12-1) In touch, not fluent 1st, hit 3rd, mistake and dropped rear 6th, blundered 10th and soon last, jumping went to pieces, continued well behind, 7th of 8, well behind You Do The Math (11-13) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Waynesworld (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden 13th, chasing winner when blundered last, no impression, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Baodai (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct '07.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 4-11fav (11-8) Led 2nd, clear when mistake 12th, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 3m hts chs (6) gf in May beating Hades De Sienne (11-5) by 32l, 6 ran.
Cash In Hand (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Chased leader, reminders after 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Sarobar (9-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Aug.
Shammy Buskins 4-1 (12-0) (cp) led 12-13; wknd, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Mocho (12-0) at Dunthrop 3m ptp gd.
Verchoyles Lad (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Mistakes, held up, headway 11th, weakened approaching 4f out, 8th of 14, 50l behind Alvino (12-4) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Feb.
The Sneakster (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, no impression after, 5th of 13, 30l behind Mcevoy (12-6) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs.
