in touch, led 3rd, headed 8th, weakened 17th
behind when hampered and unseated rider 2nd
in touch, chased leaders 5th, joined leader 14th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, ran on well
held up in touch, led 14th, soon joined by winner, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
led until 3rd, remained prominent, weakened halfway
tracked leaders, under pressure 17th, soon beaten
tracked leader, led 8th, blundered and unseated rider 14th
behind when hampered and unseated rider 2nd
held up in touch, lost place after 3rd, behind when pulled up 16th
mid-division, lost place halfway, virtually pulled up
mid-division, never a factor
held up in touch, under pressure 12th, unseated rider next
always towards rear, pulled up 3 out
behind, mistake 3rd, lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up 16th
held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, kept on same pace
held up, some headway 5 out, never on terms
always towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, lost place 18th, behind when pulled up 2 out
behind, mistakes 6th and 9th, pulled up 16th
towards rear, headway 14th, chased leaders 5 out, kept on well, no chance with winner
Plenty in with a chance to win this Hunter's Chase but the handicap form of TRUST FUND looks a decent indicator ahead of Geeveem and Even More. Having won off a mark of 127 to complete back to back wins in handicaps in December, from which the form stands true, the selection sets a decent standard with his last run forgiven with the ground unsuitably heavy. Geeveem makes his debut for his new yard after leaving Paul Nicholls and like the selection returns after a long break. This one goes well fresh and under the watchful eye of the champion trainer was competitive in handicaps off marks in the mid 120's so as long has his new connections have him at the same level he should go well. Even More ran with credit in his first attempt in this sphere last time but he is yet to really prove his stamina for this trip however and a few in this field look to be stronger stayers. The Big Breakfast has looked progressive in six starts so far and shaped as if this trip is in his scope when taking one of these at Sandown last time out. El Hombre Del Rio would be another to consider with some consistent performances including last time when only finding classy Royal Auclair but he may have to settle for minor honours again behind Trust Fund.
Even More (IRE) 9-4fav (12-1) Chased leaders early, behind from 8th, tailed off when left 4th 3 out, 4th of 10, 40l behind Back Nine (12-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Geeveem (IRE) 9-2 (12-7) In tch til fell in race won by Opio (12-0) at Corbridge 3m 5f ptp gd, 6 ran.
Trust Fund (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, effort after 15th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 16th, well behind when pulled up at the 17th in race won by D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan '08, 13 ran.
El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 12; went 2nd 3 out; wknd app last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Rockwithacaveman (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft.
Good Book (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 5 out, weakened next, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Pams Oak (10-8) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
The Big Breakfast (IRE) 4-1co-fav (11-3) In touch, headway to track leader 12th, led 4 out, strongly pressed from 3 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd beating Van Ness (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thompsons Wood (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Bhnd frm %way; t.o, 5th of 7, well behind Bedtime Boys (11-0) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Another Chat (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Led 3-11; no ch w wnr 15, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Bowdens Lane (12-5) at Howick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Black Smoke (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) (cp) led to 13; wknd flat, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Ask Bobby (12-5) at Duncombe Park 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Dimitri (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) T.o 10, 6th of 11, 46l behind Sparklinspirit (12-0) at Howick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Exceptionnel (FR) 20-1 (11-10) In rear, headway 8th, pushed along 4 out, weakened 3 out, mistake last, 4th of 14, 15l behind Oopsmylord (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn hts chs (6) gd in Feb.
Frosty Jak 14-1 (12-0) Led to 3; wknd 11, 6th of 11, 39l behind Bowdens Lane (12-5) at Howick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Idbury (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) In touch, lost place 5th, no chance 15th, 10th of 14, well behind Alvino (12-4) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Feb.
Rebel Army (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) (cp) t.o 12, 10th of 16, well behind Grenfell (11-7) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Shady Hollow (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Hdwy 12; wknd aft 3 out, 5th of 20, 28l behind Gentle George (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Swifts Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In tch til wknd aft 2 out, 5th of 6, 23l behind Derawar (11-0) at Dunthrop 3m 5f ptp sft in Jan.
Whatever You Think (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Chsd ldrs til unseated rider in race won by Quotica De Poyans (11-12) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Wings of Hope (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) A.p; led 11-12; one pce 15, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Manners (12-7) at Didmarton 3m ptp gd.
Zesta Fiesta 20-1 (12-0) A.p; led 12 til hdd last; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Network Oscar (12-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp frm in Jun.
Holly Walk 20-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden 13th, plugged on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 12, 7l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
