tracked winner virtually throughout, ridden after 3 out, 7 lengths down last, stayed on and closed on winner flat, held towards finish
ran loose before start, behind, hit 1st, fell next
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last, no impression
behind, struggling 9th, stayed on to take modest 4th flat, never troubled leaders
mid-division, struggling 9th, soon behind
made all, drew clear from 7th, 7 lengths advantage last, edged left flat, held on towards finish
chased leaders to 7th, soon behind, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up
behind, headway 7th, went 3rd 9th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place approaching last
chased leaders to before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, outpaced 9th, no impression when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Little Fritz finished third in this last year, despite carrying overweight. But he's failed to finish in two of four subsequent starts and been well beaten in the others. Fredo is undoubtedly the class act but hasn't raced since March of last year and also carries a penalty. Klepht has his first run for a new yard and Coeur De Fou looks to be on a downward curve. WIND OF HOPE has a decent record in point-to-points and has only run four times under Rules. This wouldn't be the strongest of hunter chases so he gets a tentative vote.
Fredo (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, closed from 11th, not fluent 14th, no impression on winner when taking 2nd 17th, one pace, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Carli King (11-9) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Brokethegate 16-1 (10-12) Led early, chased leader, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 11l behind My Friend George (10-11) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in May.
Coeur De Fou (FR) 7-1 (12-0) (cp) a.p; no ex 2 out, 4th of 17, 14l behind Iberico (12-7) at Cocklebarrow 3m gs in Jan.
Damiens Dilemma (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left 2nd, headed 4th, blundered 7th, soon led, mistake and headed 11th, lost place when not fluent next, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Emkae (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Friendly Royal (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Klepht (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, some headway on outer approaching 2 out, no extra from before straight, 10th of 17, dist behind Bally Longford (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Lachlan Mor 3-1 (12-0) Wl bhnd when pu 14, at Alnwick 3m mdn in Dec.
Little Fritz (FR) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Molten Brown 12-1 (12-5) (cp) in tch to 14, 5th of 8, 30 3/4l behind Damiens Dilemma (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m 2f gs in Mar.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped right 1st, under pressure 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd at 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Grey Monk (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f (5) gd in Sep.
