chased leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, chased leader 10th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, rallied and led 3 out, headed flat, found nil
held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 6th
soon led, headed 4th, ridden after 17th, led approaching 3 out, headed 3 out, rallied last, ran on well to lead flat
Nonrunner
Sleeping Night gets the vote here ahead of Kingston Banker. It is hard to escape the attentions of the Paul Nicholls-trained selection, who can list a Charlie Hall Chase second among his Graded Chase efforts, plus a Graded hurdle placing, to his name under Rules. He also came good in his first Hunter Chase run, and connections are expecting even better from him. Kingston Banker is four-from five in Hunter Chases since March 2004 and, having had a recent point-to-point run to clear his pipes, looks set to go well also. Bruthuinne was winning from a mark of 102 under Rules in October 2002 and has gone well here in the past, while Springford is actually a course and distance winner. Finally, the chances of Vinnie Boy will best be gleaned from the betting, but that medium is likely to show that Sleeping Night is the favourite, and we find it hard to argue with that.
Bruthuinne (IRE) 12-1 5th of 10, 39l behind County Derry at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Kingston-Banker 2-1jt-fav 2nd of 11, 7l behind Springford at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Sleeping Night (FR) 11-10fav Chased leaders, led approaching 4 out, clear after next, easily, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs beating Legal Right by 17l, 17 ran.
Vinnie Boy (IRE) 5-1 5th of 11, 16l behind Springford at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Mollycarrs Gambul 20-1 4th of 6, 22l behind Strong Tea at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan '04.
Springford (IRE) 2-1 3rd of 16, 20l behind Free Gift at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
