reluctant leader, set steady pace, in creased pace halfway, pushed along and headed approaching last, ridden to lead run in, ran on
close up in 3rd, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
tracked winner, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed run in
Bumper winner CALL OF THE WILD failed to land the odds when just missing out at Stratford on last month’s hurdling debut but he finished well clear of the rest and the winner has subsequently boosted the form by landing a handicap. Alan King’s charge looks the one to beat with both of today’s rivals returning from an absence and hurdling for the first time with Newbury bumper winner Petrossian preferred to Hartnoll Hero.
Call Of The Wild (IRE) 10-11fav (10-11) Front mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and pressed leader before last, upsides winner when not fluent last, kept on but held closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Onemorefortheroad (11-8) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Hartnoll Hero (IRE) 9-5fav (11-2) Keen in mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders 5f out, 3rd and no impression final 2f, 3rd of 8, 29 1/4l behind Sandy Brook (11-2) at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Petrossian (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Took keen hold towards rear, headway turning for home, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 17l behind Jonbon (11-0) at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Mar.
