held up, chased leaders 6th, went 2nd after 5 out, weakened after last
held up, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after last
held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, outpaced from last
mid-division, blundered 7th, weakened from 9th
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders to halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
not jumped well, always towards rear
held up, headway 5 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, in 7th when blundered last, pulled up
in rear, headway 10th, ridden approaching last, stayed on, chased winner run-in
with leader, led last, soon ridden, headed run-in, weakened and lost 2nd last 100 yards
led, clear to 9th, headed 4 out, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, mistakes, headway to chase leaders 9th, led 4 out, headed last, soon ridden, led again elbow on run-in, driven clear
Batchelor Boys, Nominate and Heather Lad are three against the field in this desperate hunter chase and the vote is given to Batchelor Boys. The selection was a fair second behind Spring Margot last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and under simil;ar conditions here he will be hard to beat. Nominate rates the main danger ion his latest fourth behind Lord Bush but all his best form is on a faster surface and the ground has to be of concern and he looks opposable on that basis. Heather Lad is another that could go well on his latest second in a point but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder Lambrini Mist and Solway Sunset are others worthy of respect on point form but there completion record over regulation fences raises doubts and with this in mind for the winner we return to Batchelor Boys.
Batchelor Boys (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Spring Margot (12-4) at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft.
Braeburn 12-1 (12-0) Prom til lost plce 16; lft 3rd 3 out; one pce, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Noble Persian (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp gf.
Heather Lad 16-1 (12-7) Led 3 out; ev ch last; outpcd flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Sir Alf (12-7) at Mordon 3m ptp gd.
Lambrini Mist 6-4jt-fav (12-0) (cp) led 7-3 out; rallied last; no ex flat, 2nd of 5, 1l behind The Eens (12-12) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp frm.
Nominate (GER) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders after 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 19l behind Lord Bush (12-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gf.
Petrouge 10-1 (12-3) (cp) a handy; chsd wnr 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Gudasmum (11-7) at Aspatria 3m ptp gf.
Sessay Miller 7-2 (12-5) Trckd ldrs; led 14; clr aft 3 out; unchall, won at Hexham 3m ptp gd beating Kindle A Flame (12-5) by 20l, 9 ran.
Solway Sunset 6-4fav (11-12) Held up; led 15; clever, won at Aspatria 3m ptp gf beating Broomley Max (12-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
