chased leaders, blundered 9th, soon lost place, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 14th
close up, weakened 4 out, no chance when blundered 2 out
in touch, blundered and lost place 4th, steady headway from 12th, weakened and no chance before 4 out
led to 2nd, settled behind leading pair, tracked leader 10th, challenged 2 out, led soon after last, ridden out
close up, not fluent 7th, ridden 12th, tracked leaders next, mistake 14th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat to take 2nd near finish
prominent, led 5th to 3 out, outpaced next
held up in touch, weakened 12th, pulled up after 14th
jumped poorly in rear, blundered 3rd and 6th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 15th
led 2nd to 5th, chased leader to 10th, chasing leader when blundered and weakened 3 out
in touch, mistake 7th, led 3 out, jumped left next, headed soon after last, weakened flat and lost 2nd near finish
mistakes, in touch, blundered 9th, 10th and next, weakened and behind from 15th
The opener on a hunter chase meeting can go to Bering Gifts, with Alexander Nevsky, Bunratty's Sole and Leatherback among others that should be given some consideration. Good enough to have achieved a rating of 112 under Rules, the selection comes here fresh from a win in points. Still only nine years of age, he should still be improving and has good credentials for this contest. Alexander Nevsky is another to consider. He showed hurdling promise under Rules when with Nicky Henderson and is also a pointing winner. That last comment applies to a number of these including the promising six-year-old, Bunratty's Sole, Leatherback, who was rated around the 120 mark over hurdles a couple of years ago, and Irish import Kilvoydan, who has been running well in points. As with all of these types of contests, watch the betting market for clues but, for us, Bering Gifts looks the one to beat.
