prominent, mistakes 2nd and 4th, lost place 12th, weakened when mistake 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
held up, headway to lead approaching 3 out, clear next, comfortably
held up, headway 19th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, blundered 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened when blundered 2 out, 4th when blundered and unseated rider last, remounted
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, mistake 9th and 19th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
Stamina is the key here in this long-distance hunter chase, so Step On Eyre and Maggies Brother would appear to have the right requirements to have a major say, with the former given the nod. Step On Eyre proved that he stays this trip when scoring at Bangor for Henry Daly a couple of years ago, but with these extreme stamina tests something of a rarity, has not had the chance to prove his mettle again until now. Maggies Brother won the three mile novice chase on this card last year and was only just touched off by the useful Grecian Star at Huntingdon recently. He was staying on stoutly at the death and is sure to be involved in the shake-up. The rest have a lot to do.
