in touch to halfway, soon struggling, no danger after
in touch, effort approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, kept on same pace
mistakes in rear, soon behind, kept on one pace from 2 out, never on terms
towards rear, headway and prominent in chasing group 10th, mistake and weakened 12th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders until weakened 15th
led and soon clear, mistake 11th, headed 3 out, no extra approaching last
prominent, led 3 out, soon clear, pushed out flat
in touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
Coomakista gets the confident vote to win this Hunter Chase with Winnie Wild and Boardmill Rambler rating the main dangers. The selection was just run out of it close home when second behind Garden Feature last time out. However the return to this shorter trip and faster ground should suit and he need only reproduce that effort to win this. Winnie Wild rates the main danger as she won a point in good style last time out when beating Primitive Rhythm. She has plenty of scope for improvement but she tends to jump low and fast so these regulation fences may find her out and she looks worth taking on. Boardsmill Rambler is another that could go well on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Starbuck is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is very one-paced and for the winner we return to Coomakista who is hard to oppose.
Boardsmill Rambler (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up, hit 9th, weakened from 13th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Skew Whip (11-7) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
High Expectations (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out until approaching last, hung right, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Birkwood (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f mdn hts chs (5) sft.
Highland Brig 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, outpaced 13th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 27l behind Birkwood (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f mdn hts chs (5) sft.
Kiora Bay 5-1 (12-0) 8th of 15, 29l behind Mr Pendleberry (12-0) at Duncombe Park 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Starbuck 8-1 (12-5) (cp) prom til rdn along 7; lost tch aft 13; t.o 15, 4th of 6, 43l behind Adolphus (12-5) at Overton 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Anshan Spirit (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) 2nd of 7, 25l behind Garden Feature (11-12) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp sft.
Coomakista 4-7fav (11-7) 2nd of 3, hd behind Garden Feature (11-7) at Corbridge 3m 5f ptp gd in Mar.
Winnie Wild 5-2fav (11-7) won at Dalton Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Primitive Rhythm (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Rainton 4-1 (12-0) Held up; went 2nd 14; ev ch 2 out; one pce, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Alittlebitopower (12-0) at Overton 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Wild Edgar (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) 5th of 12, 22l behind Birkwood (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
