led 2nd, headed after, weakened after 13th
tracked leaders, driven to chase winner 5 out, one pace
mid-division, headway to go in touch 8th, weakened 5 out, behind when pecked 2 out
led after 2nd, hit 3rd, headed 12th and weakened approaching 5 out
held up rear, headway to track leaders 9th, hit 11th, led 12th, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 8th, moderate progress 4 out
in touch, led 5 out, hit 2 out and last, driven out
always in the rear
mid-division, headway after 13th, weakened 4 out
led 1st, headed 2nd, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, jumped slow and lost place 4th, lost touch from 8th, pulled up after 12th
never a factor
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway but something has to win and the principals look to be Windy Spirit, Swings 'N' Strings and Jim Lad and the tentative vote is given to Windy Spirit.The selection is well weighted on his best form looks sure to improve for the return to this faster surface and with his yard back amongst the winners he looks the one to be on. Swings'N' Strings rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Arctic Cherry, he again has conditions to suit but this looks more competitive and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Jim Lad is another that could go well on his latest third behind Satco's Deception but consistency is not his strong point. Of the remainder Oh So Brave may need the run after a 641 day abscence while Fluff 'N' Puff is another from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Windy Spirit to small stakes.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Towards rear, ridden and closer order 12th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 16l behind Hillcrest (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Happy Shopper (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders in 4th, reminders 10th, driven along after 12th, weakened after next, 5th of 9, 12l behind Tommy Carson (11-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Fluff 'n' Puff 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, hampered 13th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Hillcrest (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Captain Machell (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 3rd until reminders and lost place 5th, soon in rear, 7th and no chance when blundered 14th and pulled up pulled up 4 out in race won by Tommy Carson (11-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Southerndown (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) In touch, lost place 7th, stayed on again approaching 5 out, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 10l behind Hillcrest (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Swings 'n Strings (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 9th, ridden to lead 4 out, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Arctic Cherry (10-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Jim Lad 7-2 (10-7) Held up in 4th, went 3rd when hit 14th, 3rd and not chance with front pair when blundered last, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Satco's Deception (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Oh So Brave 13-8fav (10-12) Jumped right, led, headed 6th, remained prominent, ridden after 3 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) frm in Jul '05 beating Heather Lad (10-12) by a hd, 13 ran.
