in touch, mistake 8th, weakened after next
led to 4th, weakened 7th, behind when hit 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders until hit 6th, behind when mistake 7th, soon pulled up
held up, headway 3rd, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten
always behind, hit 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, hit 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, left 3rd after 2 out
with leader, led 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd when pulled up after 2 out
held up in touch, headway 7th, led 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
Wild Is The Wind made a very pleasing chase debut last month and can land this fascinating contest, Penneyrose Bay and Ballyjohnboy Lord can chase him home. Jonjo O'Neil's gelding is rated 122 over hurdles but has always looked likely to make a better chaser. He chased home Dickensbury Lad in a better race than this at Stratford and will know doubt improve for the experience. Penneyrose Bay chased home Smart Savannah on her only fencing outing and is rated higher than the selection over hurdles so she must rate a big danger. Ballyjohnboy Lord ran well on his chase debut at Chepstow and should again be in the firing line. Just A Splash and Razzamatazz are the only others with any serious chance and so we return to Wild Is The Wind as the form choice.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) In touch, not fluent 11th, outpaced approaching next, mistake 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Give Me Love (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Apr.
Drumdowney Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) In touch, mistakes 2nd, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Jazz Night (11-9) at Hereford 2m hts chs (H) gd in Apr '04, 11 ran.
Hatsnall 20-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Monty Be Quick (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gf, 7 ran.
Just A Splash (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Sharp Jack (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Razzamatazz 12-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 4th, blundered 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by The Local (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 5-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, tracked winner, hit 11th, chased leading pair next, ridden to lead briefly 4 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Dickensbury Lad (11-2) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chs (3) gd in Apr.
Easter Present (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Penneyrose Bay 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 14th of 16, well behind Golden Bay (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
