raced wide, towards rear and off the pace, poor 6th on long run after 11th to 2 out, went distant 4th last, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased winner until 4th, ridden after 8th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 11th
held up in rear, struggling in poor 5th after 11th, tailed off
in rear, blundered and fell 1st
took keen hold, chased leading duo, went 2nd 4th, lost 2nd on long run after 11th to 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd before when pecked 2 out, no extra, tailed off
raced wide towards rear, headway 9th, 3rd from next, went 2nd on long run after 11th, no chance with winner when weakened to 3rd final 100 yards
raced keenly, led 2nd, made rest and virtually unchallenged, came clear when stumbled 2 out, hit last and stumbled, kept on well flat
chased leading trio, weakened and lost touch 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
off the pace in 5th, headway to dispute 4th at 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on as winner not fluent last 2, readily held
Most of these are regular winners between the flags but POPPY DAY has come closest to winning a hunter chase having been beaten just a head by Special Portrait at Hexham in May. Her allowance may see her through this though Indian Print, nine times a point-to-point winner and currently in good form, will prove a threat. Exit To Luck has his first start in a race of this nature and he's another in recent winning form between the flags while the veteran Ask Bobby always gives his best and Just Talking ran well in a similar race to this at Stratford last March.
Ask Bobby 8-1 (12-7) (tt) led 4-8 & 12-13; wknd aft 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind My Old Piano (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Ben Ryan (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Hdwy 7; wknd qckly 15, 6th of 12, 28l behind Miss Lightning (11-7) at Dunthrop 3m ptp in Jan.
Coppingers Court (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Gd hdwy 12; led last; just held on, won at Dunthrop 3m ptp in Jan beating Shannon Springs (12-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Exit to Luck (GER) 5-4 (12-0) Held up; led 15; pushed out, won at North Carlton 3m ptp in Jan beating Yann's (12-3) by 4l, 3 ran.
Indian Print (IRE) 6-4 (12-4) Led 15; clr nxt; comf, won at Alnwick 3m ptp gs in Jan beating Saddle Pack (12-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Just Talking (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Hdwy 8; one pce 3 out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Up There (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Keeverfield (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Led to 4 & 8-12; led 13 til hdd & unable qckn flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind My Old Piano (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Rustic John 40-1 (11-0) Bhnd %way; to 15, 9th of 12, 31l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in May.
Poppy Day (10-7) Prog 13; outpcd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Inaro (11-0) at North Carlton 3m ptp in Jan.
