chased leaders, reminders 10th, ridden to dispute 2nd 5 out, kept on same pace from next
held up, headway 13th, soon ridden, weakened 5 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, effort 5 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to dispute 2nd 5 out, stayed on, held by winner from 2 out
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden to dispute 2nd 5 out until mistake last, no extra
close up until weakened approaching 5 out
held up, headway after 13th, close 5th when mistake 4 out, soon beaten
mistakes, towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, soon ridden and weakened
always prominent, led 8th, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
mid-division until lost place after 13th, stayed on again from 3 out
behind from 7th, tailed off
led until 8th, chased winner until weakened approaching 5 out
held up, ridden along from 11th, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, mistake 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out
mid-division until after 13th, soon behind
A competitive handicap chase may go to THE APPRENTICE on his chase bow; two more chasing debutants in Super Nick and Buck The Legend have to be entertained whilst Killard Point and Minella Tipperary have already shown a decent level of form over fences. Victor Dartnall has always held a high opinion of The Apprentice and that regard was evident when he was made favourite for his second start over hurdles at Doncaster in January. He failed to land the odds that day and didn't fare too much better in two subsequent starts either. However, the yard tends to have a lot of chasing types in their employ and his pedigree suggests that this will be his game and his disappointing end to his season over hurdles could prove to be to his advantage as he commences his chasing career on a decent mark. Similar remarks apply to Super Nick who hasn't really lived up to expectations over timber but could prove to be a different proposition over birch this season. Again, it would be no great surprise to see Buck The Legend enhance his profile now chasing and he has already run a couple of fine races over hurdles at this track which counts in his favour. Killard Point is consistent but completely exposed but there could be a little more to come from Minella Tipperary this term as he didn't really fare as well as might have been expected over fences last season but he's still a young horse. In a competitive heat it may be worth taking a chance with The Apprentice.
The Real Deal (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 10th, last of 11, well behind Seymar Lad (9-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, in touch 12th, weakened approaching 17th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gaelic Gift (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Sprosser (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 13th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Killard Point (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Led after 3rd, ridden after 2 out, headed last soon hung left, no extra, 4th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Oberon Moon (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Apr.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Warsaw Pact (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) In touch, blundered 11th, ridden and outpaced next, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 9, 11l behind South Bronx (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Sept.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear when blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Mister Apple's (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 15 ran.
The Apprentice (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Keen early, behind and reminders after 4th, ridden from next, headway and mistake 4 out, one pace from next, 4th of 14, 15l behind Rathcor (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Super Nick (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Led, reminders 7th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 9, 30l behind Lamanver Homerun (10-8) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked winner, lost place 10th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 4 out pulled up at the 13th in race won by South Bronx (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Sept, 9 ran.
Ironside (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, never fluent and behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Amazing Valour (10-0) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Alam (USA) 11-1 (10-1) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Victor Daly (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
Shifting Alliance (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) In rear, soon struggling, 10th of 14, 36l behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Mylo 9-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along and struggling 10th, 9th of 14, well behind Aleron (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept.
The Speaker (FR) 11-1 (11-6) Disputed lead until headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Thenford Star (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
