held up, headway approaching 9th, led on dip approaching 2 out, soon clear, shaken up approaching last easily
led to 3rd, regained lead 8th, headed 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
blundered 3rd, soon lost place, reminded and weakened approaching 11th, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, pulled up before 4 out
unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 12th, stayed on to take remote 3rd flat
pushed along towards rear, some headway 10th, weakened from 13th
chased leaders, led 11th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
took keen hold, led approaching 3rd, headed and blundered 8th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 4 out
BORDER FUSION, Maurice and Von Origny are the trio for the shortlist here and the vote is given to Border Fusion. The selection has been in good form in the point-to-point sphere and he was deemed good enough to run in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. He was well beaten that day but this is nowhere near as competitive and he looks set to make a bold bid. Maurice unseated his rider in the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree but he has run a couple of sound races since then and he has a decent pilot on board today. Von Origny is a capable performer on his day and it is worth noting that he has gone well here in the past. Magnetic Pole and Belligerent are others with each-way prospects, but we will side with Border Fusion who looks the one to beat.
Border Fusion (12-7) Held up; hdwy 14; chall 2 out; ev ch flat; no ex up nr fin, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Tommy Two Toes (12-0) at Sandon 3m ptp in Apr.
Belligerent (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, outpaced 3 out, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Drybrook Bedouin (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Geeveem (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up, blundered 1st, outpaced 10th, never on terms, 9th of 10, well behind Hartburn (10-12) at Carlisle 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Good Time Willie (IRE) 6-5 (12-5) (cp) (tt) ap; led app 2 out; v easy, won at Whittington 3m ptp in Apr beating Lambrini Mist (12-5) by 6l, 5 ran.
Magnetic Pole 4-7 (12-7) Led to 14; led 3 out; comf, won at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp beating Lord Louis (12-0) by 6l, 4 ran.
Maurice (FR) 1-2 (12-4) (tt) held up; hdwy 9; lost plce by-passing 12; nt rec, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Shady Anne (12-0) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp.
Shraden Edition 4-5 (12-0) Held up; went 2nd 3 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Scotmail Too (12-0) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp.
Tommy Two Toes (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Worship The Stars (11-7) at Bangor 3m nov hts chs (6) gd.
Von Origny (FR) 8-11 (11-0) Led to 2; led 15; unimpressive, won at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp beating Artic Reason (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sizzling Shizzy 12-1 (11-7) (tt) ap; led 11-15 & 2 out til hdd & nt qckn flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Rich Nomad (11-7) at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp in Apr.
