held up in touch, led 13th, quicken 3 out, pushed clear next, easily
prominent, led approaching 11th to 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, headed approaching 11th, headed 13th, ridden next, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, ridden for 10th, outpaced 17th, stayed on again under pressure from 3 out
held up last, mistake 17th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, held when mistake last, no extra flat
held up mid division, mistakes 7th and 14th, blundered and lost place 17th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened.
Indian Gunner will be looking to land his second-successive Wincanton win and secure an 'Indian double' for trainer Jeremy Naylor. The most-valuable race on the card, the K J Pike & Sons Handicap Chase will see Indian Gunner attempt to emulate stable companion Indian Chance, who won last year's running of the race and is also his half-brother. Indian Gunner will be bidding to add to his recent course victory in the Wincanton plc Chase, his second success from just two runs at the Somerset venue. The general feeling is that the gelding will relish the step up in trip and defy an eight-pound rise in the ratings. As on his last run, Robert Thornton will take the ride on the top-weight. Course and distance winners, Team Captain and Walter's Destiny, may give him most to do, along with Toby Balding's Restless Wind, a Kempton winner from Spinofski back in November from a five-pound lower mark. Team Captain, lightly raced for a nine-year-old, makes his first appearance out of hunter chase company, while Walter's Destiny, now 11, has not win since November 2001. The last of his two course wins came on Boxing Day 2000 in the Lord Stalbridge Memorial Gold Cup. Mothers Help is still three-pounds higher than for his last win, but he will like the faster going. All in all, a fascinating contest, with Indian Gunner out to maintain a family tradition.
