always in rear, ridden and mistake 8th, struggling from 11th, tailed off 5 out
led until 4th, stayed close up until weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off
in touch, blundered and reminders 6th, ridden and struggling approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
close up, tracked leading pair 11th, chased winner 3 out, no impression next
led 4th until before 6th, chased winner to 3 out, soon beaten
mistake 2nd, always behind, struggling 9th, lost touch 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
tracked leading pair, joined leader 5th, led approaching 6th, clear from 10th, well in command approaching 2 out, stayed on well (no official time taken)
A chance is taken on MOCHO here in preference to Youngstown and Afistfullofpebbles. The selection has been nothing special over hurdles but this son of Accordion may do better now encountering fences for the first time in public. This former point-to-point winner has a good jockey booking in Noel Fehily and it¿s intriguing that he goes straight into handicap company. Youngstown fell on his final start over hurdles in March and is another interesting chasing debutant; he is out of a half-sister to Adamant Approach and represents a yard in form. Paul Benson takes over in the saddle and it may be worth hedging our bets with him as well. Afistfullofpebbles is having his first run for Jonjo O'Neill today and he has a little to find on his Irish hurdling form, Apocal will be popular because of connections but he hasn't jumped well enough so far to be put up, whilst Sula's Legend is no superstar but he knows how to win over fences. Wise Men Say shaped well on his chasing bow at Stratford back in May and must be considered, however in an open race it is time to wake up and smell the coffee with Mocho.
Afistfullofpebbles 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 11th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 9th of 24, 34l behind Mutadarek (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-109 sft in May.
Youngstown (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, behind when fell next, in a race won by Aldiruos (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Apocal (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after next, 4th of 11, 18l behind Darstardly Dick (11-9) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) gd in Mar.
Sula's Legend 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Majy D'auteuil (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Freddie The Third (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mistake and in mid-division when fell 13th, in a race won by Rosie All Over (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind Gleann An Sagart (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Mocho (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) Made most, switched left after 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Le Commencement (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
