tracked leaders, led after 3 out, soon headed, ridden and kept on
tracked leader, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up
in rear, blundered 4th, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, led before 2 out, mistake last, kept on well
soon tracked leaders, in 3rd and ridden before last, no impression
in rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before last
led, jumped right throughout, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
HEATH HUNTER has proved hard to win with over the last couple of years but won’t have had many easier opportunities than this. He had every chance at the last in a better race here last month and has been dropped 2lb since. Bowdler's Magic has been quite consistent this season but Mwaleshi is probably better over the larger obstacles and Brave Spartacus, who is returning from a break, alternates between hurdles and fences. Hear The Chimes should be thereabouts, however, and makes more appeal than Nuts Well and the returning Rock A Doodle Doo at the weights.
Heath Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made most to before 6th, soon ridden, kept on, not fluent last, no impression with front pair flat, lost 3rd post, 4th of 8, 7l behind Zaidiyn (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Led until 1st, not fluent 2nd, led before 6th, headed next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Sky Khan (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Rock A Doodle Doo (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division on outside, some headway over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 9th of 18, 16 1/4l behind Highway Code (11-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Nuts Well 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching, last, weakened flat, lost modest 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 25l behind Point The Way (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Bowdler's Magic 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 5 out, tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Minstrels Gallery (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Hear The Chimes 2-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Planetoid (11-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Mwaleshi 9-2 (11-12) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
