badly hampered 1st, pulled up before next
soon behind and outpaced, lost footing halfway, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out
always towards rear, never dangerous
fell 1st
tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 13th, drew clear from 2 out, ridden out
held up, mistake 9th, ridden and kept on from 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, went remote 3rd 5 out, jumped right and no impression from next
raced keenly and led, blundered 4th, headed 9th, weakened when mistake 5 out, soon pulled up
jumped right, tracked leader, led 9th to 13th, kept on same pace from 4 out, no chance with winner
Bica gets the confident vote in this hunter chase with Wildfield Rufo and Jurancon II rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair sort at his best under rules and he should be suited by the drop back in trip today. He has conditions to suit and if he can put in a clear round he should be the one to lead them home at the finish. Wildfield Rufo was a fair third behind Sir Frosty when last seen and this looks easier but he is more exposed than the selection and is taken on with this in mind. Jurancon II hails from a yard that does well in this sphere and with the booking of Tom Greenall catching the eye he should go well. Of the remainder, Dj Flipance would be a danger to all if putting in a clear round but that is a big if and for the winner we return to the unexposed Bica.
D J Flippance (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up & wl bhnd; t.o when unseated rider in race won by Titus Bramble (11-0) at Weston Park 3m ptp sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Wildfield Rufo (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 8th, lost place 15th, stayed on from 2 out, took 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Sir Frosty (9-11) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in May.
Jupiter's Fancy 6-1 (12-0) Lost tch 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Birkwood (12-7) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Jan, 20 ran.
Be My Manager (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, dropped rear halfway, tailed off and pulled up at the 12th in race won by King's Bounty (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Feb '05, 12 ran.
Bica (FR) 7-2 (12-5) Prom when carried out by loose horse & carried out in race won by Control Man (12-5) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp in Jan, 9 ran.
Castleford (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) In tch to 13, 4th of 8, 26l behind Spring Grove (12-0) at Barbury 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Jurancon II (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Chased leader to 3rd, ridden before 14th, lost place next, tailed off and pulled up at the 19th in race won by Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr '05, 19 ran.
Maitre Levy (GER) 12-1 (10-11) In touch when hit 6th and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Kid'z'play (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf in Jul '05, 6 ran.
Thatlldoya 4-1 (12-5) In tch til wknd 15, 6th of 19, 32l behind Thorsgill (12-5) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Jan.
