in rear, headway before 9 out, ridden before 4 out, led before 3 out, headed before last, no extra
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, in rear and pushed along from 10 out, soon struggling
tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, outpaced from 2 out
tracked leader, ridden before 5 out, led before last, kept on well run-in
PACHA DU POLDER is targeting the Foxhunter at Cheltenham again next month and would need to win this to qualify. The 11-year-old has a new partner and is making his seasonal reappearance but should have too much class for these. Warden Hill could only manage a third at Market Rasen after winning between the flags but his fitness is assured whereas Hard Station is making his debut for a new yard having done all of his winning in Ireland. Kilfinichen Bay runs in his first hunter chase having also changed stables but Ardea was second to standing dish Paint The Clouds in this last year so can’t be ignored.
Ardea (IRE) 4-5fav (12-5) Held up; hdwy 13; went 2nd 15; ev ch last; unable qckn flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind One Conemara (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m gs in Jan.
Hard Station (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Made all, soon clear, reduced lead 9th, still travelling smoothly before straight, soon asserted, pushed out run-in, stayed on well, easily, won at Listowel 3m gd in Jun beating Anshan Dreams (11-7) by 18l, 11 ran.
Kilfinichen Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden after 15th, no impression and well beaten when left 4th 2 out, 4th of 8, 27 1/4l behind Belmount (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 11-2 (12-0) Close up in 4th, ridden before last, kept on run-in, 4th of 28, 4l behind Dineur (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Warden Hill (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 9th until 11th, chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair and pushed along, no extra last, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Sir Jack Yeats (12-6) at Market Rasen 3m (6) sft in Feb.
