held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 5 out, led 4 out, headed next, every chance after last, kept on gamely towards finish, just held
tracked leaders in 4th, led 3 out, hit next, under pressure after last, hard ridden and kept on gamely towards finish, just held on
held up mid-division, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 5 out
tracked leader, led 11th, headed after 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway on outer after 5 out, every chance 4 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, no impression from 4 out
held up in touch, ridden after 5 out, weakened approaching 4 out
led to 11th,ridden and led again after 5 out, headed next, soon weakened
in rear, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
held up towards rear, weakened from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
Jonjo O'Neill has done well with his runners in hunter chases of late and his representative here, Line Ball, has every chance on the pick of the form that he showed in Ireland with Christy Roche but he was a faller on his debut in this grade on his first start for his new handler and a safer option looks to be FARMER FRANK, who gets the verdict ahead of Cottam Phantom. The last mentioned did not show much under rules when last seen in December 2005 but has shown improved form in points of late, winning his last three starts, and he has to be respected on his first start over regulation fences. Over To Joe, who won a novice hunter chase at Sedgefield last month, carried on winning ways between the flags 19 days ago and he has claims. The 13-year-old Strong Weld has resumed winning ways with some decent efforts in points of late, winning his last three starts and he looks one of the main dangers to the selection, Farmer Frank. Nick Kent's gelding has been running well in points and confirmed that form with a decent effort when successful at Market Rasen recently, a reproduction of which can see him follow up here.
Farmer Frank 6-4fav (11-13) Tracked leaders, going well before 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd beating Oranger (11-13) by 13l, 9 ran.
Bow School (IRE) 2-1 (12-5) 4th & outpcd app 15, 4th of 11, 27l behind Indian Print (12-5) at Corbridge 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Over To Joe 16-1 (12-0) (cp) ap; led 3 out; rdn out, won at Easingwold 3m ptp gd beating Quinta de Lobo (12-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Cottam Phantom 6-4 (11-0) Led to 7; led 16; drew clr flat, won at Mordon 3m ptp fm beating Blandings Castle (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Line Ball (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) In rear when fell 5th, in a race won by Coolefind (11-13) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Madison de Vonnas (FR) 16-1 (12-0) In tch to 14, 4th of 9, 23l behind Sea Senor (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd.
Nirvana Du Bourg (FR) 12-1 (12-0) (cp) led 7 til hdd & wknd app 14; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by My Old Piano (12-7) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Strong Weld 2-5 (12-7) (cp) (tt) made all; ro wl, won at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gf beating The Tailor Carey (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vital Spark 12-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til outpcd 3 out; 4th when ur nxt, in a race won by Major Shark (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Zaffman (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) In tch til slpd & ur aft 8, in a race won by Over To Joe (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd, 11 ran.
