chased leaders, reminded 7th, driven along approaching 11th, 3rd when weakened 4 out
led until after 3rd, chased leader, hit 8th, weakened from 4 out
in touch, mistake 6th, headway to join leader 4 out, ridden to lead approaching next, driven out
held up, lost place from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led after 3rd, headed 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
in rear when stumbled and unseated rider before bend after 3rd
tracked leaders, led 11th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened from 13th, tailed off 3 out
Bushido is the pick over Swansea Bay, with Just Muckin Around best of those further down the weights. It was nice to see Swansea Bay bounce back to form at Newton Abbot last week, but it has taken a concerted effort by Peter Bowen to get his handicap mark down to its present level, and the nine-year-old will start to struggle again as he goes back up the weights. He was head and shoulders above this lot two years ago but is not the force of old and will do well to give nine-pounds to Bushido. The latter has paid his way over hurdles in the past and it was no surprise when he came good over fences at Southwell last time, the step up to in excess of three miles bringing out the best in him. He should continue to progress and is the one to be on here. Of the remainder, Just Muckin Around appeals off his low weight. Bob Buckler's charge is not the most consistent animal but plugged on well behind Shaadiva at Newton Abbot and if in the same mood can be involved at some point. Not at the finish though, as that should revolve around the top two, with Bushido preferred.
Swansea Bay 2-1jt-fav (11-4) In touch throughout, reminder 10th, ridden 13th and rallied, headway after 2 out, hard ridden and led post, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd beating Around Before (11-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bushido (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leader, led 7th, ridden and under pressure approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Southwell 3m 2f nov chs (D) gf beating Windy Spirit (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Sister 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Charlies Double (10-6) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
Barton Hill 6-1 (10-6) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, well beaten when jumped left last 2, 7th of 10, 44l behind Full House (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr.
Pauntley Gofa 11-1 (11-1) Led and soon clear, mistake and headed after 7th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 38l behind Manly Money (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in May '04.
Panmure (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 3 out, soon one pace, 7th of 14, 26l behind Slalom (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 11th, ridden after next, beaten when pecked 2 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Fearless Mel (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Just Muckin Around (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Shaadiva (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf.
