chased leaders, mistake, lost place and reminder 6th, headway 12th, outpaced 13th, behind 16th, soon pulled up
in rear, behind 13th
chased leaders, lost place before 4th, closed next, led after 16th, jumped left last 3, stayed on
led 2nd, headed before 13th, led 16th, soon headed, held by winner flat
chased leaders, lost place 9th, pulled up before 13th, dismounted
led until 2nd, prominent, lost place 11th, behind 13th, went 3rd before 4 out, stayed on flat, closing on front pair towards finish
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway 9th, led before 13th, not fluent and headed 16th, weakened before 4 out
Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals with Wonderful Charm, who runs earlier on the card, and SOUTHFIELD VIC has leading claims. The latter notched-up a four-timer in hunter chases last year and should make a bold bid on these terms despite an absence. Mr Mercurial also won a couple of these events last year and is weighted to figure along with Band Of Blood though the latter has been off the track for over a year. Buck Dancing will be sharper for last month’s outing at Taunton and may prove best of the rest.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, 9th of 17, dist behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Buck Dancing (IRE) 20-1 (12-6) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (6) sft in Jan.
Mr Mercurial (IRE) 7-4 (12-10) In tch til wknd 3 out, 6th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Sharney Sike (12-7) at Alnwick 3m sft in Dec.
Southfield Vic (IRE) 4-11fav (12-6) Led or disputed lead throughout, clear with one other after 4th, driven into definate advantage before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on gamely when joined flat, just held on, all ou, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f (6) gd in May beating Herbert Park (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Border Breaker (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, no extra 2 out, 5th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Old Salt (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Big Casino 13-2 (11-0) Prom til outpcd 13; 3rd & no ch when ur last, at Larkhill 3m gs in Jan.
Nine Altars (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Stdy hdwy 8; led 15 til hdd last; no ex cl home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Son Of Suzie (11-0) at Friars Haugh 3m gs in Jan.
