tracked leader, hit 5th, not fluent next, hit 12th and unseated rider
held up in 4th, took keen hold, went 3rd 9th, left 2nd briefly when hampered by fallen rider 12th, went 2nd again before 4 out, ridden and switched right before 2 out, stayed on flat to lead close home
tracked leaders, mistakes, last 9th, left 2nd after 12th until approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, left 5 lengths clear 12th, ridden approaching last, caught close home
Peaceful Means has been showing a little improvement but will need much more to trouble this trio. Bacher Boy was in cracking form over hurdles on fast ground last summer and is with the right yard to turn him into a chaser. A recent run in a charity event at Punchestown will have put him straight and the weight he receives from the two winners will help. Montoya's Son is doing well over fences and probably found the minimum trip against him here last time after scoring over further at Carlisle. He looks certain to go well but WAKE BOARD won with such authority at Bangor that he gets the vote before going on to better things.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Led, clear before 4 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind King In Waiting (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) gd.
Wake Board (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, smooth headway to track leading pair 3 out, led going well when blundered next, soon clear, unextended, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating What Of It (11-3) by 19l, 6 ran.
Bacher Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, closer entering straight, ridden 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 7, 19l behind Fully Funded (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Peaceful Means (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out, never reached laders, 7th of 13, 7l behind King Brex (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
