in touch, outpaced 5 out, ridden and blundered 5 out, stayed on and no impression from next
chased leaders, mistake 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway on outer after 9th, ridden approaching 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 8th, led again after next, ridden approaching 5 out, headed after 5 out, soon weakened
chased leader, losing place when hit 10th, soon struggling
behind and mistakes, reminder after 5th, soon struggling, tailed of when pulled up before 11th
held up in rear, blundered 2nd, headway approaching 10th, blundered when weakeneing approaching 5 out, fell 2 out
in touch, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders when unseated rider 11th
held up behind, steady headway 12th, led after 5 out, headed approaching next, weakened approaching last
always behind
chased leaders and mistake, led 8th, headed after next, blundered and unseated rider 12th
in touch, headway to chase leaders 5 out, chased winner 3 out, soon beaten
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, led approaching 4 out, clear after next, easily
behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
A large field goes to post for the first hunter chase of the season but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning and the principals look to be Sleeping Night, Kyalami, Curly Spencer and Mister Friday and the vote is given to Sleeping Night. The selection was a top class horse at his best and even his latest fifth behind Barracuda leaves him head and shoulders above his rivals. Kyalami rates the main danger as he is fit having won a point to pointy in good style when defeating Arctic Cherry he has definite place claims. Curly Spencer is another that would not be far away on his best national hunt form but that has been over a shorter trip and he may just need the run after a fair absence. Mister Friday has won over course and distance in the past and is another that could go well but his best form is from the from and he is likely to be taken on from the start so he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder Legal Right, and Impertio are sure to jump round but are others that may just need the run and for the winner we return to Sleeping Night.
