mistake 2nd, behind, some headway when blundered 15th, no chance after
held up in rear until blundered and fell 12th
with leader, led 6th, headed 15th, 2 lengths 2nd when blundered and unseated rider next
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
mid-division, mistake and reminder 4th, mistake and lost touch 13th, well behind when pulled up before 15th
held up in mid-division, losing touch when blundered 4 out, soon tailed off and pulled up before last
in touch, left 2nd at 16th, led soon after 3 out, ridden 3 lengths clear between last 2, headed last, weakened flat
led, mistake 4th, headed 6th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up after 12th
chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd and not fluent 9th, hit 15th, ridden from 3 out, driven to lead last, stayed on well
chased leaders, led 15th, hit 3 out, headed soon after, outpaced approaching last, rallied to regain 2nd flat but no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Joe Blake can land the hunter chase at the expense of last year's winner Mister Friday, with Bosham Mill, Raregem and Knife Edge seen as potential dangers. Joe Blake finished a highly creditable third to Whyso Mayo in the Christie's Foxhunter here in March and makes the journey over from Northern Ireland with plenty of confidence behind him. By all accounts he has thrived since, and as long as the ground does not soften up, he should make amends today. Mister Friday won this race last year but has a double penalty to contend with. His Yorkshire yard has had the cough and he is only just on the way back, but at least he goes well here. Raregem and Bosham Mill were both behind the selection at the Festival and of the pair, Raregem would be a danger if it rained enough to change the going. Knife Edge needs to jump better to figure, while the Intrum Justicia Cup second Yeoman Sailor needs to step up a gear but could easily maker the frame if getting into a rhythm. The class horse here is Joe Blake though, and he can make the journey across worthwhile.
Mister Friday (IRE) 15-8fav (12-1) Held up, jumped slowly 4th, hit next, weakened from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Denvale (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Raregem 14-1 (12-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders 5th to 12th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 24, 8l behind Whyso Mayo (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.
Bosham Mill 20-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, pecked 18th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 24, 12l behind Whyso Mayo (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.
Joe Blake (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, close up when mistake and bumped 3 out, driven and stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 24, 2 1/2l behind Whyso Mayo (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.
Knife Edge (USA) 4-1 (11-11) Held up, progress after 9th, went 4th 4 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 26l behind Deep Pockets (11-9) at Exeter 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
Yeoman Sailor (IRE) 7-2fav (12-2) In touch, chased leaders 10th, outpaced approaching 5 out, ridden next, stayed on strongly from last, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Ramirez (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Be My Dream (IRE) 7-2 (12-5) 2nd of 7, hd behind Hot Toddy (12-5) at Mollington 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Bright Approach (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) 6th of 12, 44l behind Bally Blue (11-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Feb.
