with leader, led 3rd to 5th, in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
behind, struggling 7th, reminders next, headway under pressure 2 out, ridden and stayed on from last, never nearer
in touch on outside, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 5th, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, no impression
mid-division on outside, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out
behind, outpaced when mistake 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch on outside, blundered 7th, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, chased leaders on outside 3 out, driven next, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression with winner
led to 3rd, tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, driven 2 out, one pace when mistake last, no impression flat
mid-division, in touch 8th, poised to challenge 3 out, led next, driven clear after last, ridden out
This is a specialist trip for hunter chasers but it clearly suited Himalayan Express 12 months ago when a successful 50/1 chance. He had Swallow Delight and Noble Ben behind with Caulkin pulled up but bookmakers won't be as generous this year, though he hasn't pulled up any trees lately. Bay To Go made all for an easy win at Southwell two weeks ago but Steeltown and POPAWAY have both been in good form between the flags lately and the latter, with her mares' allowance, could be the one today.
Bay To Go (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Made all, clear after 4 out, shaken up before last, ran on well, won at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd beating Jack's The Lad (11-5) by 21l, 3 ran.
Himalayan Express 3-1 (12-7) Prom til outpcd 3 out, 3rd of 4, 16l behind John Daniell (12-0) at Old Berkshire 3m ptp gf.
Tiermore (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, blundered 1st, mistake 5th, weakened before 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Foundry Square (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd, 10 ran.
Caulkin (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Ss; a bhnd, 4th of 6, 9l behind Irish Rebel (12-0) at Horseheath Hunts Club 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Delta Borget (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next, 9th of 12, 15l behind Siro Demur (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd.
Driving Onwards (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) (bl) (tt) led 5-11; led aft 14; unchall, won at Larkhill 3m ptp beating Gold Duster (12-0) by 10l, 6 ran.
Noble Ben (IRE) 11-10 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 13; lft in ld 4 out; clr 2 out; ro wl, won at Andoversford 3m ptp beating Jakros (12-1) by 15l, 9 ran.
Rock Of Fife 6-1 (12-0) (tt) held up; eff 3 out; one pce nxt, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Calusa Comet (12-0) at Portman 2m 5f ptp gd.
Steeltown (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) (cp) ap; led 14; qcknd clr nxt; drvn out, won at Taunton Vale Harriers and Foxhou 3m ptp beating Carrickmines (12-0) by 15l, 6 ran.
Swallows Delight (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Towards rear, some headway from 5 out, no impression, 9th of 21, 50l behind Warne (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd.
Popaway 8-15 (12-2) (tt) held up; hdwy to ld 3 out; hdd & no ex by-passing last, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Star Of Massini (12-0) at Clifton-on-dunsmore 3m ptp.
