mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 7th, weakening when mistake next, behind when pulled up before 4 out
led, headed 6th, led next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, beaten when swerved left to avoid faller last
always prominent, mistake 6th, switched right approaching 2 out, chased winner last, not quickened flat
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden and led 2 out, driven out flat
prominent, led 6th, headed next, ridden approaching 3 out, no headway from next, beaten when swerved left to avoid faller last
mid-division, reminded after 3rd, behind 5th, brief effort 8th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up, not fluent 1st, effort 8th, one pace from 2 out
in touch, reminded after 2nd, headway next, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened next, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up, jumped slowly 4th and reminded, behind next, headway 2 out, staying on and 4 lengths 4th when fell last
prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Martin Pipe's Ideal Jack made a very encouraging comeback at Taunton three weeks ago and should be good enough to defy topweight in the opener. The ex-French performer, was making his debut over British fences at the west-country track in what was his first outing for two years and shaped well enough, although predictably tiring, in third. Superb Leader was a beaten favourite at Ludlow and looks worth opposing again until he shows more tenacity, while Villair has not reflected the current well-being of his stable. Italian Counsel was only plating class over hurdles but ran a blinder when just touched off at Sedgefield last time. He might sneak into a place along with Jetowa du Bois Hue who showed a fair level of form over timber and who displayed a bit of promise on his chase debut at Hereford.
