took keen hold, chased leader, led after 8th, ridden and headed when hampered 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
led, headed after 8th, ridden 4 out, 3rd and weakening when fell 2 out
always behind, tailed off when refused 5th
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, ridden clear last, ran on
chased leaders, mistake 1st, headway 7th, weakened after 8th
held up in touch, blundered 2nd, headway 8th, ridden and every chance 4 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened
Westender was a class above these over hurdles and if taking to fences can make the most of the weight concession from Full House and Spectrometer. Martin Pipe's eight-year-old has twice run with distinction in the Champion Hurdle and more recently finished fifth to Mac's Joy in the Swinton Hurdle at Aintree. Unusually for the Pond House outfit, they have left it late to go chasing, but he is sure to have been well-schooled and in reality could probably win without receiving weight off his main rivals. Full House is no slouch though and it was an uncharacteristic mistake early on that denied him a chance of completing a hat-trick over fences. Spectrometer finished second to the ill-fated Shayadi at Sedgefield in May and is well held by the selection on previous meetings over timber. The rest are bit-part players only, and Westender should make a winning start to his new career.