towards rear, headway before 5 out, in 3rd when unseated rider 3 out
held up mid-division, headway to lead 8th, headed 3 out, kept on and held run-in
mid-division, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outer before 7 out, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous
close up, led from 2nd, soon headed and remained close up, mistake 4th, weakened before 7 out, soon pulled up
held up mid-division, pushed along 7 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway halfway, led before 3 out, kept on well from last
tracked leaders, weakened 7 out, pulled up before 5 out
held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, pulled up before 7 out
close up, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 7 out, pulled up before 5 out
in rear mistake 1st, pulled up before 5 out
close up, mistake 3rd and rider lost iron, soon pulled up
led to 2nd, son regained lead, headed 8th, weakened from 6 out, pulled up before 2 out
This is the first hunter chase of the year and it's attracted a decent entry. The former Paul Nicholls inmate Join Together has done well between the flags but was tailed off behind the once-useful Chance Du Roy when last seen under Rules in 2013. Dark Lover has a lengthy absence to overcome but would have a chance on past form. Pearlysteps ran very well at Punchestown last spring while Richmond and Mr Moss could also give a good account. ALF WRIGHT has left Philip Hobbs to join Tracey Bailey. He's won five times and, though stamina is a concern, has a strong amateur on board in Josh Newman so could be a bit of value in an open race.
Pearlysteps 7-1 (12-0) Soon disputed lead, jumped right, led 6th, headed 2 out, no impression approaching last where slight mistake, dropped to 3rd run-in and kept on same pace,, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f Good - Yielding in May.
Richmond (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced 13th, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 11, dist behind Midnight Lira (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Allerton (IRE) 20-1 (12-7) A.p; went 2nd aft by-passing 3 out; stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Big Fella Thanks (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 14-1 (12-7) (tt) led 3-9; wknd 13; t.o & pu 2 out, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Alf Wright (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 9th, disputing 2nd when mistake 4 out, no impression 3 out, went 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 14 3/4l behind Aloomomo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 40-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway into mid-division after 2 out, kept on same pace, never nearer, 10th of 39, dist behind Many Clouds (11-9) at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Dark Lover (GER) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Woodbank (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Devon Mead 25-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 13; pu 15, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Dec.
Fiasco 4-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 3 out, 4th of 8, 29 1/4l behind High Hatton (12-0) at Cold Harbour 3m gd in May.
Join Together (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Stdy hdwy 14; went 2nd aft nxt; nt rch wnr, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind No Loose Change (12-7) at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec.
Mr Moss (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up in touch on inside, outpaced before 5 out, soon ridden and beaten, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Buachaill Alainn (10-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Sangfroid 16-1 (12-0) Wl bhnd when stumbled & ur bend aft 15, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Sustainability (IRE) 33-1 (12-2) Chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 9th, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Moscow Chancer (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (6) gd in Mar.
Viking Blond (FR) 10-1 (11-0) (bl) hdwy 11; outpcd 15, 4th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Lord Heathfield (11-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Dec.
