tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent 12th, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
in touch in rear, went 3rd after 9th, ridden after 14th, disputing 2nd 4 out, jumped right 3 out, weakened next
chased leader until 3rd, last 6th, blundered 8th, lost touch approaching 10th, mistake 13th, puled up before next
blundered badly 1st, no chance after, pulled up before 5th
led, blundered badly 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders, weakened after 14th, blunderd 3 out, tailed off
Brendan Powell's Tucumcari showed some ability at Towcester last month and could be of interest on his chasing debut but looks booked for a place at best in a race that should lie between MOUS OF MEN and Baily Storm, with preference for the former. The selection meets his main rival on 8lbs better terms than if this was a handicap and after a disappointing last effort over hurdles, David Pipe's gelding showed that chasing may be the making of him when a good winner of a similar contest at Uttoxeter last month. Peter Bowen's Mumbles Pier was still going well before falling two out at Stratford last month but did not run up to that form at Ffos Las earlier this month so now looks best watched. It is hard to envisage either Bricos Boy or Pagan Sword playing a part in the finish and a much bigger threat to the selection is likely to come from Tim Vaughan's Baily Storm, who has won his last two starts in races at Stratford and Hexham and he has every chance of scoring again but may struggle to give weight to Mous Of Men, who gets the vote.
Baily Storm (IRE) 2-9fav (11-5) Tracked lears, led 7th, headed approaching 9th, tracked leader, led again 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure from last, just held on, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf beating Sierra Victor (10-9) by ns, 5 ran.
Mous Of Men (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, led 6th, not fluent 8th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May beating Important Business (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bricos Boy (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd aft 4 out; pu 2 out, in a race won by Mr Moss (11-7) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gf in May, 12 ran.
Mumbles Pier (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Blundered 1st, last pair and 15 lengths adrift of leading duo, struggling 7th, soon last, tailed off, last of 4, well behind West With The Wind (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gf.
Pagan Sword 22-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, jumped slowly 7th, soon driven, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Quel Bruere (11-12) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Tucumcari (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased winner after 9th, not much room on inside and hit birch upright on doll after 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Downward Spiral (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
