in touch, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear next, stayed on well
held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, one pace
held up in rear, headway 12th, every chance when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
with leader, behind when mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
prominent, weakened from 14th
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened
very reluctant to race, always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind from 9th, lost place from 11th
Cornish Gale is still a force to be reckoned with at this level and gets the vote over No Retreat and Quality First, who are expected to put up the most resistance from the rest. Quality First was a winner in the pointing fields last time out and is respected on the pick of his form over regulation fences. He likes it around here and is one to have a look at if he is backed before the off. No Retreat dead-heated at Cheltenham last month and is obviously still enthusiastic about the game. However, he does nothing but stay and looks vulnerable back at this trip. Therefore, we go with Cornish Gale, who will benefit from the assistance of the best jockey on the Hunter Chase scene at the moment. Richard Burton got on very well with him at Towcester last month and the partnership have plenty going for them, with the ground sure to suit today.
No Retreat (NZ) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 7th to next, stayed prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, joined post, won at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (H) gd in Apr deadheating with Paddy For Paddy (12-4), 16 ran.
Cornish Gale (IRE) 5-4fav (12-7) won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd beating Mister Moss (12-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Be My Friend (IRE) 4-9fav (12-7) 2nd of 5, 20l behind Cornish Gale (12-7) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Cassia Green 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost place 3rd, mistake 5th, headway 10th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Silence Reigns (12-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hts chs (H) gf.
Home Made 5-4fav (11-0) 2nd of 6, 6l behind Running Mute (11-0) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd.
Pristeen Spy 1-2fav (12-0) won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd beating Pennyahei (12-2) by 7l, 5 ran.
Quality First (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (12-0) won at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Lough Ennel (12-0) by 15l, 8 ran.
Tinarana Lord (IRE) 4-1 (12-5) won at Flagg Moor 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Darnil (12-8) by 6l, 10 ran.
