led to 3rd, tracked winner, ridden 3 out, no chance in clear 2nd from next
mid-division, lost place before 10th, soon struggling, ridden and headway under pressure 4 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd after 5 out, lost place before next, weakened 2 out
chased leaders to 8th, soon behind, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
held up in rear, headway 12th, chased leaders after 5 out, 5th and no impression when mistake next, soon weakened
mid-division, reminders after 10th, never near leaders
prominent, on outside, hit 10th, lost place 12th, beaten when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, headway 12th, chased front pair before 4 out, ridden after next, never on terms, lost modest 3rd flat
always towards rear, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
always behind, hampered 5th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, fell 5th
with leader, led 3rd, made rest, drew clear before 2 out, stayed on well
Fitness could be an issue with a few of these so a market check is advised but Persian Snow, a once-useful handicapper, would have every chance on these terms if fully wound-up. Distime was an excellent fourth in last season’s Topham Chase at Aintree but we’ll take a chance on the former Nicky Henderson-trained BEAR’S AFFAIR as new handler Philip Rowley and rider Alex Edwards have a good strike rate when partnering up here in hunter chases. Sam Cavallaro has won twice at Cheltenham’s big hunter chase meeting in April but is not easy to catch right.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, in touch 3 out, lost place after 2 out, well beaten last, 14th of 16, 16 1/4l behind Matorico (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Distime (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 6th, behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden and stayed on into 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 29, 13 1/4l behind Eastlake (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Sam Cavallaro (IRE) 11-4jfav (12-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 3 out, pushed along and went 4th between last two, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 16, 22l behind Decade Player (12-0) at Stratford 2m 1f (6) gd in May.
Expanding Universe (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) In tch to 17, 7th of 15, 37 1/2l behind Iberico (12-4) at Barbury Racecourse 3m 6f in Jan.
Moscow Chancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, 3rd next, led approaching and good jump last, clear when edged right run-in, won at Exeter 2m 3f (6) gd in Mar beating Aerial (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Pay Your Way (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Behind, fell 9th, at Hereford 2m 5f (5) hvy in Feb.
Daring Article (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, mistake and ridden 5 out, pulled up before next, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Easyondeye (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, slight mistake 8th, soon 8th, moderate 5th approaching straight, no extra approaching 2 out and eased, soon pulled up, at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
Invisible Man (FR) 6-1 (11-10) (tt) outpcd 11; kpt on 2 out; nvr nr to chall, 3rd of 10, 11 1/2l behind King's Legacy (11-10) at Tabley 2m 4f gs in May.
Lotus Pond (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) (h) (tt) prom til wknd qckly app 3 out; pu nxt, at Thorpe Lodge 3m gs in Jan.
Mr Sawyer 10-11fav (12-0) Hdwy 15; led 2 out; rdn out, won at Umberleigh 3m gf in Jun beating Nicholasville (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Old Pride (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader, closed after 4 out, no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Fountains Blossom (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f (5) gd in Aug.
Persian Snow (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Sun Cloud (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
