chased leading pair, stayed on same pace from before 2 out
in rear, headway 11th, not fluent next, chased leaders before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, challenged for 2nd 4 out, driven and weakened after 2 out
made all, clear after 3 out, tired flat, always holding on
rear, headway 12th, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, until weakened before last
chase winner until ridden 14th, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off 14th
in touch, mistake 11th, struggling 14th, rallied after 2 out, kept on flat
close up until outpaced and lost place 12th, rallied from 3 out, chased winner last, kept on same pace flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
MAD VICTOR is our choice in this one ahead of course and distance winner Lady Myfanwy and the top weighted Whataboutya. Mad Victor has run well in points and was giving an equally good account before unseating his rider four from home at Cheltenham earlier this month. This contest may be one that Mad Victor can succeed in having previously won a chase on good ground. Lady Myfanwy has had point-to-point success recently and is worth considering back under rules. She won the race here last year and connections will have every confidence that she can produce another good effort. The conditions may suit Whataboutya who has won three chases on ground that has varied from firm to good. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is likely to have improved and come on for a decent third at Ludlow last time out and is respected. However, given that Mad Victor was running well before his Cheltenham mistake and that the trip is slightly shorter here we give him the nod in this race.
Whataboutya (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, soon behind, went 4th 10th, went 12 lenghts 3rd 13th, closed to within 4 lenghts 4 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Emotional Article (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd.
Mad Victor (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) In touch, headway to track leading pair 5 out, close up 3rd when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by The Cool Guy (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd, 11 ran.
That Look 3-1fav (11-12) Led to 6th, chased leader, ridden to challenege 3 out when not fluent, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 12l behind Nelson's Spice (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug '08.
Cannon Bridge (IRE) 1-4 (11-0) Led 2-3 & 4 til fell 6, in a race won by Upton Legend (10-7) at Bitterley 3m ptp gf in Apr, 2 ran.
Gentleman Anshan (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 8th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, behind when fell heavily 2 out, in a race won by Bob Hall (12-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd, 14 ran.
Innocent Rebel (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Shooters Wood (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd.
Scotmail Too (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Ap; led 15; lft solo last, won at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp, 4 ran.
The General Lee (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led to 13 & 4 out til hdd aft nxt; wknd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Mr Cee (11-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gf.
Lady Myfanwy (10-7) Hdwy 11; led 2 out; ro wl, won at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd beating Oca De Thaix (11-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Dumadic 14-1 (11-0) (tt) held up; hdwy 10; led 14 til hdd 2 out; sn wknd, 4th of 12, 10l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd.
Goldfinger (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) No ch 11, 6th of 9, 42l behind Thisthatandtother (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Fruitfull Citizen (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Led, jumped left and not fluent 9th, urged along from 2 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Coolefind (11-13) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) gf.
