hampered and unseated rider start
towards rear outpaced 4 out
held up in touch, headway 4 out, led last ridden out
hit 2nd, in touch until outpaced 4 out
tracked leaders, headway and every chance 3 out, effort after next, one pace flat
whipped round start, took no part
made most to 3 out, one pace next
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed last kept on
Humid Climate, Cumbrian Knight and Finest of Men all have claims in this beginners' chase but a chance is taken with Flame Phoenix, who is probably better than he showed on his chasing debut last time. The selection was easily the best of these over hurdles and was, not surprisingly outclassed behind the useful recruit Nyrche on his chase debut at Exeter recently. The opposition here should be less exacting for Ginger McCain's gelding, who may have most to fear from Humid Climate. Richard Fahey's gelding made a promising start to his chasing career when third behind Tigers Lair at Bangor over an extended 2m4f recently and should be suited by the drop in trip today. Cumbrian Knight has shown enough to suggest that he can win a race of this nature and has to be respected along with Finest of Men, who reverts to regulation fences after a long spell point-to-pointing. Snooty Eskimo and Classic Calvados are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Flame Phoenix, who may be too classy for his rivals.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 33l behind Risky Way (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Apr.
Classic Calvados (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace when hit last, 5th of 23, 9l behind Mr Bigglesworth (11-1) at Wetherby 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Apr.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 11th, chased winner 4 out to next, soon ridden and outpaced, 3rd of 7, well behind Mckelvey (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (D) gd.
Finest of Men 5-4 (12-4) 3rd of 4, 6l behind Starbuck (12-4) at Hexham 3m ptp gf.
Flame Phoenix (USA) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, ridden and lost touch from 4 out, last of 3, well behind Nyrche (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (E) hvy in Apr.
Gunson Hight 25-1 (12-7) pulled up in race won by Ofcoursehekhan (12-0) at Hexham 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Snooty Eskimo (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Behind, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, kept on from next, 5th of 16, 5l behind Viscount Bankes (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hts chs (H) gf.
Humid Climate 25-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 9th, poor 3rd when weakening from 10th, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Tigers Lair (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd.
