prominent, led 4th, made most until mistake and headed 3 out, hung right and weakened approaching last
mistake 11th, always behind
prominent until 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, kept on again flat
held up, hit 10th, not fluent and weakening when not fluent 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not always fluent, held up, behind from 4 out
led to 2nd, with leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
behind, lost touch 9th, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
led 2nd to 4th, with leaders, slipped on bend after 3 out, every chance and mistake last, hung right and stayed on flat
held up, headway approaching 11th, every chance when hit last, stayed on
mid-division, ridden 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
This might not take a great deal of winning and it may be worth taking a chance with rules debutant Jimmy Cricket, who gets the vote ahead of West Coaster and Vicar's Lad. The selection showed progressive form in point-to-points last term and provided that he takes to the regulation fences the son of Primitive Rising may prove to be too good for his rivals. West Coaster was nothing out of the ordinary when with Henrietta Knight last term but comes here fit and in form following a recent success between the flags for new connections and David Easterby's gelding has to be respected. Beauchamp Oracle also comes here with the benefit of a recent run but probably needs to improve to trouble the judge. Gold Quest has claims on his best but had been off the track for a long time until making his return in a point-to-point recently and he is probably best watched for the moment. Of more interest may be Vicar's Lad, who showed signs of ability over hurdles and opened his account at the first time of asking last month. However, Jimmy Cricket looks potentially useful and may have too much class for his rivals.
Beauchamp Oracle 2-1 3rd of 15, 17l behind Fertile Valley at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Cento (IRE) 12-1 Mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened and behind from 10th, 4th of 10, 46l behind Colquhoun at Stratford 3m hts chs (H) gf in May.
Jimmy Cricket 5-4fav won at Bitterley 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Petrouge by 6l, 11 ran.
Love At Dawn 5-1 won at Heythrop 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Charlie Strong by 25l, 16 ran.
Star Glow 4-9fav won at Higham 3m ptp gf in Jan '04 beating Fine And Dandy by 15l, 5 ran.
Tanager 7-2 won at Heythrop 4m ptp gd in Jan beating Camden Carrig by 11l, 7 ran.
Vicar's Lad 5-4fav won at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Brownies Tale by 8l, 7 ran.
West Coaster (IRE) 7-4fav won at Market Rasen 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Farington Lodge by 3/4l, 9 ran.
