mistake 1st, held up, headway 12th, ridden after 3 out, challenged flat, no extra towards finish
led, not fluent 5th, headed after 6th, chased leaders until weakened 14th
tracked leader, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, held when hit last
in touch, joined leader after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on again from last
chased leaders until 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 14th
held up, hit 8th, never able to challenge
in touch, headway 12th, led approaching 2 out, kept on gamely when challenged flat, pushed out
Professional trainers have dominated the hunter chases ran so far this season and that trend looks set to continue here with Le Passing, from the stable of Paul Nicholls, taken to make a winning return and getting the vote ahead of Jonjo O'Neill's East Tycoon and Wild Is The Wind. The last mentioned unseated his rider on his reappearance earlier this month but form in novice chases last term is solid enough when with Jonjo O'Neill and he has to be respected. Former stable companion East Tycoon ran below par when last seen but is a capable performer on his day and he rates the main danger to the selection. Polly Gundry's Raregem has ability and the benefit of having been racing in point-to-points recently so is at least fit from racing but it is hard to get away from Le Passing. Paul Nicholls has done well with the runners that he has sent hunter chasing this term and this nine-year-old looks too strong for his rivals.
Le Passing (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Held up, headway 17th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 13, 10l behind Joe Blake (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Raregem 2-1jt-fav (11-0) Hdwy 6; led 12-13; rdn to ld flat; r.o wl, won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Goblet of Fire (11-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pecked on landing and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Green Belt Flyer (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft, 9 ran.
East Tycoon (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, tracked leader 11th, weakened next, 12th of 16, 35l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Sept.
Jalpreuil Malta (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Pressed ldrs to 10th; wkng when fell at the 12th in race won by Cape Stormer (12-7) at Parham 3m ptp gd in Mar '06, 7 ran.
Beareen Lad (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Went 2nd 14; held when nt fluent 2 out, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Merry Vic (12-0) at Godstone 3m ptp gd.
Bolachoir (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 11, nk behind Boleybawn Quikstar (12-0) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp gf in Apr.
