held up in mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace from between last 2
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, headway to chase winner halfway to 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered badly 2nd, pulled up before next
led, mistake 1st, headed 2nd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, led 2nd, made rest, pushed out
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, headway under pressure 2 out, stayed on to chase winner run-in
towards rear, pushed along halfway, behind and blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 8
in touch, headway halfway, chased winner from 3 out, until no extra run in
A poor contest in which Mick Easterby looks to have found a suitable opportunity for The Nomad, who is preferred to Tor Head and Chicago Breeze. The last mentioned was formerly trained in Ireland but is now in the care of Ferdy Murphy and, with the stable having had two winners at Sedgefield on Tuesday, he has to be respected. Howard Johnson's Tor Head is lightly raced and cannot be discounted lightly, although a first fence fall on his most recent start is of concern. Peter Monteith's Ambushed and the reappearing Fayrway Rhythm were of a similar level of ability over hurdles and have place claims but, in a moderate event, The Nomad is very much the one they all have to beat. Mick Easterby's gelding has plenty in hand over his rivals on official BHB ratings. The son of Nomadic Way was easily the best of these over hurdles and looks to be of a similar ability over the larger obstacles. The Nomad gets a confident vote.
