chased leaders, ridden, outpaced from 12th, plugged on after next
in touch, not fluent 5th, struggling from 11th, plugged on from after 3 out
led to 3rd, chased winner to 2 out, weakened between last 2
tended to jump left, behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
led 3rd, made rest, ridden flat to hold on near finish
chased leaders, mistake 4 out, chased winner 2 out, driven, strong challenge flat, always just held
close up, ridden 9th, struggling when blundered next, soon tailed off, jumped left last 2
in touch, outpaced 11th, stayed on from after 3 out
This is a poor renewal with Satchmo, Kerstino Two and Gielgud posing as the main dangers with the vote going to Kerstino Two. The selection managed to finish third in two hunters chases this season and remarkably he has still failed to win between the flags this winter. His latest outing was when third behind Dun An Doras at Newton Abbot a couple of weeks ago in a handicap hunters chase. He was soundly beaten that day though but if reproducing his best he has to be the one to be on. Satchmo is now into the veteran stage of his career and at the age of fourteen his form is starting to dwindle. He did win this corresponding race last year but has since shown little signs of ability and will need to recapture his best to win this. Gielgud fell at Aintree in the fox hunters and it remains to be seen how that has affected his confidence. His form prior to that was average but his fourth at Newbury reads well so he is worth noting in the market. But for the winner we return to Kerstino Two.
Satchmo (IRE) 9-1 (11-13) Mid-division, headway to go in touch 8th, ridden and weakening when mistake 4 out, 11th of 17, 42l behind Derrintogher Yank (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd.
Bush Park (IRE) 5-2fav (12-0) Mist 9; 2nd when rdr lost iron 11; unseated rider in race won by Wave Rock (12-0) at Stafford Cross 3m ptp gd, 10 ran.
Father Jim 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, stayed on, 6th of 17, 12l behind Derrintogher Yank (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd.
Galeaway (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up; 4th when hit marker & unseated rider in race won by Carryonharry (11-7) at Aldington 3m ptp gd, 5 ran.
Gielgud 50-1 (12-0) Always behind fell at the 8th in race won by Katarino (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Kerstino Two 5-1 (10-7) Held up rear, headway 4th to go in touch, led 9th, blundered 3 out, soon headed and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Dun An Doras (10-1) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp hts chs (4) gf.
Newick Park 40-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 6th, weakened after 9th, 7th of 16, well behind Lord Nellerie (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gf.
Old Kilminchy (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Vinnie Boy (12-0) at Towcester 3m hts chs (3) gs, 16 ran.
