chased leaders, challenged 10th, led after 12th, headed when jumped right 4 out, led again 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well
held up, headway 8th, went 2nd after 12th, led before 4 out, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish
not fluent 1st, led next until 4th, led 8th until 11th, weakened after next, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, outpaced 10th, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd close home, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway 12th, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, challenged 3rd, led next, mistake 7th, headed 8th, led 11th, headed after 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 9th
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, struggling from 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place 5th, effort and 4th 4 out, weakened 2 out
reluctant to race, in rear, mistake 3rd, behind 8th, soon pulled up
always behind, pulled up after 12th
prominent, mistake and lost place 8th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, mistake 5th, ridden in 4th after 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Rob Conti's second to Johns Spirit at Cheltenham in October is easily the best form on offer in this. But he has his first run in a hunter chase and it remains to be seen how he copes with the heavy ground. MARTYS MISSION won this under David Prichard last year when Bermuda Boy fell when challenging four out. The 12-year-old was still going well when falling over a longer trip at Wincanton last month and could be worth a small wager again, though Made In Time and Tara Royal could both feature on past form. Cool Friend and The General Lee may be best of the rest.
Made In Time (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, tracked winner, led before 6th to 8th, close up, challenged 4 out, kept on until ridden and no extra on inside flat, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Pearlysteps (12-0) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) hvy.
Rob Conti (FR) 16-1 (10-1) Always handy, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Johns Spirit (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Tara Royal 6-1 (12-5) (tt) led 6 til hdd & wknd flat, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Wymott (12-5) at Norfolk Harriers 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 25-1 (12-7) Led aft 7 til hdd 11; wknd 14; pu aft 3 out, in a race won by Minella Stars (12-7) at Harkaway Club 3m ptp hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Martys Mission (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, fell 8th, in a race won by Shy John (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Rebel Alliance (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place after 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Overlut (11-7) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (6) gd in Jun, 13 ran.
The General Lee (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place after 9th, continued tailed off final circuit, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Pearlysteps (12-0) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) hvy.
Cool Friend (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, outpaced from 3 out, 5th of 12, 21l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May.
Bermuda Boy (FR) 9-1 (12-0) Led to 6; wknd up 4 out; to, 3rd of 7, dis behind Penmore Mill (12-7) at Silverton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 9th, quickly weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Bhaltair (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec '12.
Sawago (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, driven in 3rd after 4 out, driven after next, stayed on to 2nd flat, no real impression, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Little Jimmy (10-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb '13.
Walter Wallace (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) In tch til wknd 3 out, 4th of 14, 15l behind Patricktom Boru (12-0) at Silverton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Wiston Dreamer 12-1 (12-0) Led to 7; wknd qckly 15, 3rd of 9, 33l behind John Clayton (12-0) at Pembrokeshire 3m ptp gs in May.
