always behind, tailed off when pulled up
made all, clear 4th, not fluent 3 out, ridden out
held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on from 3 out, never near to challenge
held up, mistake 10th, behind when pulled up
chased winner from 2nd, mistakes 5th and 6th, weakened 11th, hit next, tailed off when pulled up
keen, tracked leaders until after 4 out, soon weakened
chased winner until 2nd, behind 5th, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish
Rye Brook is preferred to Dennis The Legend and Hume Theatre. The selection represents the powerful Richard Barber stable and is partnered by a rider with plenty of experience under Rules. He would have gone close on his sole attempt in a Hunter Chase if he hadn't fallen but has been in good form between the flags of late and will be fancied to go close. Hume Theatre has also been mopping up in points and has won his last three starts. This Welsh raider showed promise under Rules in Ireland and has to be feared, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Dennis The Legend's unbeaten record this season came to an end last time but through no fault of his own as he was brought down at Badbury Rings. He has to prove that he can jump regulation fences but can give a good account of himself if doing so. Slaezy also enters calculations having won last time but Rye Brook can have the final say.
Bally Blue 7-1 (11-0) 2nd to 7; wknd 4 out; pulled up in race won by Honest Endeavour (11-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp sft in Mar, 4 ran.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Led; clr to 15; wknd & hdd 4 out; pulled up in race won by Humbleexpectations (12-0) at Trebudannon 3m ptp sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Rye Brook 4-5fav (11-0) Held up; led 4 out til hdd & wknd flat, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Saint Romble (11-0) at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Slaezy (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (12-0) Led 2; clr 3 out; comf, won at Ston Easton 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Off Broadway (12-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Talikos (FR) 4-1 (12-5) Prog 12; wknd 14; 5th when pulled up in race won by Croix De Guerre (12-5) at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Holly Walk 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 13th, went moderate 3rd after 4 out, no chance when hit next, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Take The Stand (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Dennis The Legend 10-11fav (12-4) Held up & bhnd; bd 8 brought down in race won by Zesta Fiesta (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Mar, 6 ran.
Hume Theatre (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) (ts) ww; led 2 out; kpt on, won at Cilwendeg 3m ptp hvy in Mar beating Paktol Des Brosses (11-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
