close up, chased leader before 2 out, challenged last, kept on to lead towards finish
in touch and in rear, jumped slow 3rd, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, hampered 11th, weakened from 15th
close up, every chance 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders, left in lead 11th, soon hard pressed, kept on and headed towards finish
led, fell heavily 11th
Wild West Wind made an immediate impact over fences at Wincanton. He’s 12lb higher today but the leap is justified and it would be no surprise to see him follow up here before going on to better things. Dawson City is a good yardstick and will be hard to keep out of the frame and he’s preferred to Preseli Rock and Derrintogher Bliss on these terms. THE BAY OAK won twice over hurdles but the former pointer should really come into his own now tackling fences. He easily beat Valadom, rated 138, over timber at Catterick last month so an opening mark of 127 could be generous.
Wild West Wind (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-0) Prominent, led 10th, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Pilgrims Bay (11-8) by 12l, 8 ran.
Preseli Rock (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, in last pair, hampered before 4 out, never involved, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Cusheen Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Derrintogher Bliss (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, lost place 7 out, soon in rear, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Battle Of Shiloh (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dawson City 13-2 (11-9) Bumped 1st, held up towards rear, steady headway into mid-division 9th, blundered 15th, chased leaders before next, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Morney Wing (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
The Bay Oak (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-4) Awkward 1st, chased leaders and ran in snatches, reminders after 8th, 3rd soon after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Gray Day (10-12) at Bangor 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
Maxanisi (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Well in rear, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, blundered 5th, ridden and struggling after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 14th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
