tracked leader, led before 3rd, not fluent 8th, headed 9th, led again after next, jumped left and headed 4 out, beaten before last bend, plugged on
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, went 2nd 100 yards out, stayed on, no impression on winner
led, headed before 3rd, led 9th, headed after next, lost place 3 out, brought down 2 out
prominent, led 4 out, headed before last bend, one pace
tracked leaders, fell 10th
held up in rear, headway 9th, not much room before 3 out, went 2nd on home bend, no impression on winner and lost 2nd final 100 yards
mid-division, ridden 4 out, 6th after last, kept on and went 4th final 100 yards, no impression
took keen hold, mid-division, headway 5th, lost place 8th, struggling 9th, well behind 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, disputing 4th and in touch when fell 2 out
mid-division on inside, slow 3rd, lost place 7th, well behind 9th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up
towards rear, headway from 5th, not fluent and 2nd 2 out, led before last bend, soon clear, easily
in rear, well behind before 9th, tailed off
One for the hunter chase aficionados to close the card and conditions could be rather sapping by this stage of proceedings. Forrardon Xmoor ran pretty well when runner-up in the west country last time and will receive quality assistance from the saddle from James King. He must go on any shortlist. However, BAFANA CHOICE has put in two really strong performances under Rules the last twice, notably when only beaten half a length by Tallow Fair in a decent Hexham hunter chase. He's won on soft between the flags too and his pilot has become increasingly accomplished. Towerburn finished behind the selection at Hexham but could well get closer if fencing with greater fluency whilst Lotus Pond also deserves shortlist consideration after a decent Kelso effort latest.
Bafana Choice 10-1 (12-0) With leader, led 3 out, headed last, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Tallow Fair (12-0) at Hexham 3m mdn (5) gd in May.
Bedford Forrest (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Led til hdd aft 1; one pce 3 out, 4th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Martha's Benefit (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f gd in May.
Forrardon Xmoor 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader until 5th, stayed handy, ridden after 14th, 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Mountain Cliche (11-10) at Exeter 3m (6) gf in May.
Little Fritz (FR) 33-1 (12-0) Mid-division, weakened from 6 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Hexham 3m mdn (5) gd in May.
Lotus Pond (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, ridden bypassing 2 out, went 2nd at the last, no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Five Piers (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f (5) gd in May.
Mickey Miller (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Behind, headway 4 out, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Tallow Fair (12-0) at Hexham 3m mdn (5) gd in May.
Packettotherafters (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent, hit 13th, struggling 15th, pulled up after 18th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (4) gd in May.
Stagecoach Jasper 17-2 (12-0) (cp) a.p; one pce 4 out, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Mr Bingley (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m gf in May.
Towerburn (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 5th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Tallow Fair (12-0) at Hexham 3m mdn (5) gd in May.
Up To Al (IRE) (12-0) Went 2nd bypassing 13; led aft 3 out til hdd last; rallied to ld cl home, won at Andoversford 3m fm in Apr beating Escapefromthedark (11-7) by hd, 3 ran.
Martha's Benefit (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Hdwy 6; led 9; qcknd clr flat; easy, won at Hexham 2m 4f gd in May beating The Mobile Man (12-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
Preacher's Belle 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th or 4 out, close up 2 out, 4th and no extra last, 4th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Mr Raj (12-2) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (6) gd in May.
Cobbler's Rest (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) (cp) held up; hdwy 8; 21/2l 5th 1/2way; led 11-13; wknd qckly & 12l 3rd 15; t.o & pu 2 out, at Eyton-on-severn 3m gs in May.
