in touch, weakened 4 out
alwlays behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
not fluent, always towards rear, jumped badly right from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 11th, went 2nd approaching 14th, ridden to challenge 4 out, one pace from 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in touch, weakened 14th, pulled up before 2 out
chasing leaders when brought down 10th
chased leaders, led 12th, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish
chased leader, led 6th, headed 12th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out, in 5th and well beaten when fell last
held up behind, headway approaching 13th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
led, blundered badly 2nd, headed 6th, close up when fell 10th
held up, stumbled badly 8th, pulled up before next
Tom Fruit can make amends for his recent lapse by beating Cyborg De Sou and Oliverjohn, with Native Ivy worth noting as well. Tom Fruit was pulled out of a race last week and his fans will be keen to get on today as he bids to make up for unseating Russ Garritty four out when when going well at Wetherby last time. Prior to that he was all out to score at the same venue, but the soft ground probably did not help. Conditions should be a bit faster here as he embarks on a career over fences, and this impeccably-bred gelding, by Supreme Leader out of a Phardante mare, is sure to have been very well schooled by his trainer who gets lots of winners here. Tom Fruit returns to the scene of his bumper victory two years ago, since when he has not had a great deal of racing, and he can start to make up for lost time by beating Cyborg De Sou. The latter will also appreciate the better ground and step up in trip, but he never really impressed over timber, and although he has a bit more experience of the bigger obstacles, is worth taking on. Oliverjohn has failed to impress since coming over from Ireland but has a chance of making the frame on his second to Cordilla at Ayr the time before last, while Native Ivy was pulled up over hurdles at Warwick in January, but has the scope to be a decent chaser on breeding. On this occasion though it is Tom Fruit who is taken to excel on his chase debut.
Balinahinch Castle (IRE) 20-1 Led to 8th, remained prominent, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Toulon Rouge at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (D) gd in Feb.
Blazing Fire 100-1 In touch until 8th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Koquelicot at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Cyborg De Sou (FR) 10-3fav Held up in rear, headway 10th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Super Sammy at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Feb.
Guthrie (IRE) 66-1 Held up, mistake 5th, ridden after 15th, soon weakened, no chance when mistake 3 out, 4th of 10, 29l behind Kenzo Iii at Ludlow 3m beg chs (E) gs in Feb.
Jballingall 20-1 Chased leaders, left 2nd 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Super Sammy at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Feb.
Master Jackson 40-1 Prominent, blundered badly 5th, not recover, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by She's Our Native at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Native Ivy (IRE) 22-1 Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Celtic Son at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (B) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 4-1jt-fav Chased leaders until ridden and struggling from 6th, 4th of 8, 23l behind Vulcan Lane at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Feb.
Powder Creek (IRE) 22-1 Held up, behind when mistake 14th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Home James at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Storm A Brewing 25-1 Led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Moscow Whisper at Stratford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (D) gd in May '03.
Tom Fruit 11-4 Tracked leaders, going well when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Red Georgie at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
