prominent, pushed along and lost place after 7th, hard driven 9th, lost touch after next, pulled up before 11th
prominent, led 7th to 8th, led 10th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
prominent, led approaching 6th, headed next, led 8th to 10th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, closing on the winner towards finish, never going to get there
led until approaching 6th, mistake 12th, weakened before next
held up, headway 11th, lost ground on front pair before 14th, rallied to lead after 3 out, clear last, bumped along flat and margin narrowed, held on
held up in last, ridden along after 7th, weakened 11th, mistake next, tailed off
We start with a Open Hunters' Chase where WILD IS THE WIND has really solid claims and looks the one to be with ahead of James Pine and Dickie Lewis. The selection is by far the highest rated in the field and has been running well in these types of contests at this level having scored twice in his last four starts. Both of those victories where by a wide margin and with his last two efforts ending up in runner up positions in stronger races he looks the one to beat on ideal ground conditions. James Pine unseated his pilot last time when he held every chance of winning. He took a weaker race than this on his debut and he is unexposed so can improve. Dickie Lewis has plenty to find on the selection according to he official ratings but has been running well in Handicap chases recently and needs to be respected. Beyond this trio very little else makes any appeal in a race that looks set up for Wild Is The Wind.
Dickie Lewis 7-4fav (10-11) Left in lead 1st, made most to 14th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Skenfrith (10-0) at Ayr 3m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 11-4 (12-1) Led, raced keenly, headed 12th, led again 13th, kicked on after 3 out, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Master John (12-1) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
James Pine (IRE) 9-4 (11-13) Led, headed 6th, led again 11th, jumped slowly and joined 16th, narrow leader when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by The Baillie (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd, 7 ran.
A Few Bob Back (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Rdn in snatches; jnd ldrs aft 15; outpcd aft 3 out; ro flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Balinova (11-0) at Woodford 3m ptp in Apr.
Noakarad De Verzee (FR) 2-1 (12-4) Held up; gd hdwy to ld app 12; just held on, won at Dingley 3m ptp in Apr beating The Hookie Bookie (12-7) by hd, 6 ran.
Tinarana Lord (IRE) 12-1 (12-5) (cp) cl up til wknd 4 out; to & pu last, in a race won by Pristine Condition (12-5) at Heslaker 3m ptp, 5 ran.
Whatadifference (USA) 7-1 (11-10) In rear, ridden and pecked 10th, kept on to take 2nd post, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 42l behind Bonne Noel's (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
