led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, hit last, no extra flat
held up last, headway when blundered 13th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, headway 13th, chased leader and ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 12th, chased leader 4 out, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, driven clear from last
prominent, ridden approaching 11th, in touch when pulled up quickly before 12th
chased leader, ridden and pecked 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
The progressive Sea Snipe is impossible to oppose in this hunter chase with Raregem and Inaki rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last three points in good style notably when beating Thirtytwo Red last time out. He looks sure to have the race run to suit and under his optimum conditions he is hard to oppose. Raregem rates the main danger on his best form but he will do well to give weight and a beating to the selection. Inakui was a fair fourth behind Phar City last time and is another with place claims but he is more exposed than most. Of the remainder Royal Scandal's best form has come on faster ground and with this in mind for the winner we return to Sea Snipe who is hard to oppose.
Inaki (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Held up, headway 13th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 14, 23l behind Phar City (12-0) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Raregem 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear until fell at the 12th in race won by Knife Edge (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Bak On Board 16-1 (12-0) Lost touch 12th, tailed off & pulled up in race won by Selassie (12-0) at Chipley Park 3m ptp gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Royal Scandal 9-4fav (12-0) Prominent; every chance 2 out; soon weakened, 4th of 8, 13l behind Gentle Rivage (12-0) at Barbury 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Virgos Bambino (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Ridden to lead 5th; headed 13th; weakened 3 out, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Let's Fly (11-0) at Wadebridge 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Holly Walk 10-1 (11-8) Left in lead 7th; fell in race won by Dante's Back (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Sea Snipe 4-1 (11-12) Held up; progress 15th; went 2nd app last; strong run flat; led last stride, won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft in Feb beating Thirtytwo Red (12-5) by a shd, 14 ran.
