led until after 2nd, remained prominent, rallied 3 out, no extra after next
slowly into stride, behind, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led 3 out, stayed on well
prominent, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakening when mistake 6 out
in touch, chased leaders 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened last
prominent, under pressure after 4 out, weakened next
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, rallied last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on into 2nd after last, never reached winner
Full Trottle and Excitable Island won hunter chases early last year but both are returning from lay-offs and Newsworthy has the more recent form with a second at Taunton last month. Saroque is 6lb higher than when scoring at Wincanton last April while prolific point-to-point winner Conkies Lad debuts over regulation fences. NET D’ECOSSE has switched yards since winning over fences in Ireland last year and has his first start after wind surgery. He’s clear at the weights if returning to form and running anywhere near his handicap mark and gets a speculative vote.
Boher Call (IRE) 20-1 (12-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th until 10th, chased leading pair until after 10th, chased leading trio and pushed along 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Road To Rome (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (6) gd in Jan.
Full Trottle (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Always prominent, led 6 out, headed after 3 out, one pace next, rallied last, stayed on to chase winner flat, no extra and held inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Mr Mercurial (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May.
Net D'Ecosse (FR) 33-1 (12-6) In rear, not fluent 5th, headway 12th, mistake 14th, soon weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Hazel Hill (12-6) at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Newsworthy (IRE) 9-4 (12-5) (cp) led 9 til hdd 4 out; wknd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 15 1/4l behind Pithivier (12-5) at Cocklebarrow 3m 6f gd in Jan.
Excitable Island (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, reminder 12th, lost place when mistake 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression from next, left 4th last, 4th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Garde Ville (11-10) at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in Jun.
Saroque (IRE) 16-1 (12-5) Prom to 11; wl bhnd when pu 15, at Sheriff Hutton 3m gd in Jan.
Bally River Boy (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened before 12th, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Conkies Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) 2nd til led 11; clr 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Parham 3m gs in Apr beating Woodfleet (12-7) by 6l, 5 ran.
