chased leading pair until 4th, soon well off the pace in 4th, weakened 4 out, lost remote 4th before next, tailed off
in rear, ridden and struggling after 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
behind, ridden and struggling in 6th before 4 out, plugged on into remote 4th at the last
in touch until lost place before 4th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 3rd at 4th, mistake next, tried to close before 3 out, soon outpaced and struggling, no chance when blundered last
tracked leader, led 4th, clear 3 out, kept on strongly, easily
jumped left, held up in 5th, went remote 4th before 3 out, weakened into 5th last
led until 4th, chased winner, mistake 4 out, held next, no chance when blundered badly last
There are a few unknown quantities in this opener but it probably won’t take much winning. Cuban Pete may be capable of better after just one run in a bumper and is preferred to stablemate Snuff Box but we’ll take a chance on SCORPION SID, who appeared to handle heavy ground well enough in a point-to-point back in March and changed hands for £50,000 shortly after – he’s from a yard going well at present. North West Wind hinted at ability when fourth over course and distance in November but ended up well beaten
Cuban Pete (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Moonlighter (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
Dr Wells 22-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 12, 30 3/4l behind Strong Glance (10-12) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Nov.
Hillary View (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not much room 3rd, weakened before 3 out, 13th of 16, dist behind Diablo De Rouhet (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Keepyourheadup 66-1 (11-0) Always in rear, reminders after 3rd, losing touch when mistake 5th, tailed off, pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in May.
North West Wind 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4th, chased leaders before 4 out, one pace next, took modest 4th last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 15, 26 1/2l behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Scorpion Sid (IRE) 10-1 (12-2) Rr of md, 8th 1/2way & 3out, clsly grpd, hdwy from 2out, 3rd last, sow run-in to press wnr, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Western Honour (12-2) at Farmaclaffley 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
Snazz Man 40-1 (10-12) Jumped left, held up well in rear, tailed off when went badly left 2 out, pulled up before last, at Exeter 2m 7f (4) sft in Dec.
Snuff Box (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3f, stayed prominent, lost place 5f out, 9th of 16, dist behind Time To Move On (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
