towards rear, ridden, headway 3 out, one pace after
prominent, ridden 4 out, one pace from 3 out
led to 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 9th, tailed off when fell 3 out
chased leader, led 7th, ridden clear approaching 4 out, driven out flat
held up, pecked 1st, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, jumped left, mistake and unseated rider 4th
in touch, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on one pace after
mid-division, hung left from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
One or two old characters are in play here and Albarino can only be the most token of selection against Jupon Vert and Vibe. Michael Scudamore's charge is far from reliable and needs his own way to be at his best. A recent victory at Ludlow juxtaposing sharply with another example of the teddies being thrown out at Hereford. If Tom Scudamore can get him settled, he can run his race against similarly exposed or inconsistent performers. Jupon Vert needs no introduction to regular followers of the National Hunt game. A fair traveller, he can be very quick to wave the white flag. Vibe has squandered seemingly easier chances in the past. The hold-up performer is tried over shorter in an effort to finally find the key to him. Pauntley Gofa has demonstrated ability on similar surfaces in the past. He remains an enigma even at his advanced age. Karoo and Tysac take substantial drops in trip this afternoon. Island of Memories attempts to finish for the first time in almost a calendar year. This race deserved much better than this turnout but from the selection we have here, Albarino is the reluctant pick.
Albarino (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 8th, led after 3 out, going well, clear last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Roussea (10-10) by 9l, 8 ran.
Tyssac (FR) 28-1 (10-8) In touch and keen, hit 6th and 12th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 34l behind Donovan (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Vibe 16-1 (10-8) Never a factor, 9th of 11, 25l behind Borehill Joker (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Pauntley Gofa 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 20l behind Temper Lad (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Karoo 16-1 (10-12) In rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 44l behind Incas (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul.
Jupon Vert (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Keen tracking leader, led briefly after 9th, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 11, 11l behind Rowdy Yeats (12-2) at Lingfield 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Island of Memories (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, bumped 8th, headway next, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Femme D'avril (10-12) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
