led until not fluent and headed 2nd, chased winner, switched inside approaching 3 out, led 2 out, joined last, headed and no extra run-in
chased leading pair until 4th, mistake 6th, went 3rd again 8th, well held when went sharply left 4 out, no chance with leading duo, tailed off
bit keen, tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, not quite fluent and headed 2 out, good jump to challenge last, ridden and led again run-in, stayed on gamely
kept wide, held up 4th, went 3rd at 4th until 8th, pushed along and outpaced after 5 out, hung left in home straight, no chance when bad mistake 4 out, tailed off
WILD MAX won at Newton Abbot on only his second start over fences. Paul Nicholls’ charge is clear of Timberman at the weights despite carrying a penalty and looks the one to beat. The latter has won three times over hurdles and makes his chasing debut fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time but Boston Joe and Vanderbilt are hard to recommend.
Wild Max (GER) 9-4 (11-0) Led, headed narrowly 6th, remained close up, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and asserted after 2 out, kept on run-in, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in May beating Hang In There (11-0) by 13l, 3 ran.
Boston Joe (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 4th, hit 6th and 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, 5th and no chance when blundered 2 out, soon behind, 7th of 8, dist behind Bowtogreatness (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Timberman (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in last, wide early, not fluent 5th, ridden before 3 out, no impression, last of 5, 10 1/4l behind Just The Man (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Vanderbilt (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Jumped right on occasion, held up in touch, awkward 3rd, headway 5th, pushed along 3 out, well held when blundered 2 out, 4th of 6, 19 3/4l behind Cool Country (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
