with leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, took distant 3rd after 2 out, no impression
held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner next until approaching last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, behind when fell 8th
behind, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous
held up, effort 4 out, never on terms
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance last when not fluent, kept on, always held
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
led, hit 2nd, headed 3rd, soon pushed along, weakened from 5 out
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, no impression after
Not the easiest Hunters' Chase to round things off with the main protagonists appearing to be MCEVOY, Petitjean and All Star with the first mentioned marginally the preference pick. The selection was last seen contesting a decent enough handicap chase to good effect finishing in second place to an animal who was solid in a better race next time. Overall though the form has been weak but his fourth place behind Snoopy Loopy in a listed event three starts back reads really well. Petitjean was over eight lengths back from the selection last time and with the terms slightly further in the favour of the pick it¿s hard to see how that form can be reversed. Man From Hightown has bits and pieces of form to suggest a strong showing here but it's nowhere near as good a form than the previous two mentioned, on the other hand All Star was only seven lengths back from Masterminded, the best chaser in training, in January 2008 and has held his form quite well so has to be respected. These races are always a little tricky to judge but Mcevoy seems the right call this time.
Mcevoy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Jumped right, led to 3rd, stayed pressing winner and clear of rest, driven along approaching 3 out, well held from next, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Charlies Future (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Petitjean 10-1 (12-0) T.o & pulled up in race won by Kingscliff (12-0) at Dunthrop 3m ptp sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Cadoulitique (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Led to 4; wknd app 3 out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Reflected Glory (11-0) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp sft in Jan.
Only Dreams (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Jubilee George (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
All Star (GER) 2-1fav (12-0) Held up; eff aft 13; led 16 til hdd nxt; wknd app 2 out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Creative Time (12-0) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Chockdee (FR) 14-1 (11-0) In tch til outpcd 12; t.o & pulled up in race won by Free (11-0) at Dingley 3m ptp gd in May, 17 ran.
Grasp 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake and pulled up 3 out in race won by Nobody Tells Me (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Man From Highworth 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 7th, joined leader 10th, mistake 3 out, edged right after 2 out, one pace, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Baby Run (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Pagans Dancer 33-1 (12-5) Prom til wknd 13; t.o & pulled up in race won by Gentleman Anshan (11-12) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Dec, 12 ran.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led 6 til hdd 3 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Scotland Yard (11-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Feb.
The Local 10-1 (11-9) Led, under pressure after 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 9, 32l behind Painted Sky (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
Wages 25-1 (11-0) (tt) prog 12; chall 3 out; fdd nxt; pulled up in race won by Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp gd in Jan, 9 ran.
The Sneakster (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Soon in touch, weakened 12th, no chance when mistake 2 out, 5th of 17, 32l behind Baby Run (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
