tracked leaders, tracked leader 16th, close up when hampered 2 out, led flat, weakened close home and headed
held up, headway 12th, lost place when jumped slowly 13th, chased leader again 3 out, left in lead 2 out, hard ridden and weakening when headed flat
led, headed 6th, led again 11th, jumped slowly and joined 16th, narrow leader when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up, not fluent 11th, detached 15th, ridden, mistake 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not reached leaders
tracked leader til 6th, outpaced 5 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out
keen, soon tracking leaders, led 6th, headed 11th, outpaced 15th, 15 length down and plenty to do last when stayed on strongly to lead last strides, dismounted after line
held up, behind from 4th, blundered 14th and pulled up before next
BRER BEAR is taken to land this chase at the expense of Noakarad De Verzee and James Pine. The selection ran well in a couple of points before winning a hunter chase at Newbury. He ran better than expected that day but if he reproduces that same level of form he is sure to go close once again. Noakarad De Verzee has his first run under rules but has gained back to back victories beween the flags in the midlands of late. He comes into the race in decent form so any market moves should be noted. James Pine won this race last year and has only been lightly raced ever since. He finished second in a point to point before disappointing at Southwell when sent off favourite last time out. He will need to improve on that form to win this but being a course and distance winner he is still respected.
Brer Bear 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, blundered 3rd and 6th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on flat to lead near finish, won at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Dante's Storm (12-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Hambaphambili (11-0) (tt) trckd ldrs; ro up to ld cl home, won at Andoversford 3m ptp in Apr beating Salinas (11-0) by hd, 8 ran.
James Pine (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Led, martingale loose by 1st, headed next, lost place 4th, jumped slowly 6th, back in touch 10th, reminders 11th, not fluent 15th, soon behind, 5th of 6, 14l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Oranger (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Prom; led 11-13; wknd 4 out, 4th of 16, 25l behind Vico (11-7) at Woodford 3m ptp in Apr.
Royal Crystalcadou (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Drpd rr 10; to, 5th of 10, 45l behind Henry Beauclerc (12-0) at Garthorpe 2m 4f ptp in Mar.
The Baillie (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Led to 4; led 5; held on wl flat, won at Lockinge 3m ptp in Apr beating Meandmrsjones (11-7) by 6l, 4 ran.
Triple Seven (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Led to 6; lost plce 10; to & pu 4 out, in a race won by Maglinn River (12-0) at Woodford 3m ptp in Apr, 11 ran.
Noakarad De Verzee (FR) 2-1 (12-4) Held up; gd hdwy to ld app 12; just held on, won at Dingley 3m ptp in Apr beating The Hookie Bookie (12-7) by hd, 6 ran.
