led 2nd, clear when mistake 8th, headed 12th, weakened quickly, blundered 3 out
always in rear, continued for poor 4th
in rear, held from 12th, pulled up after 4 out
led, headed 2nd, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
mid-division, lost place 8th, pulled up after 9th
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 8th, led 12th, headed next, hard ridden and rallied close home, no extra
held up, headway 7th to chase leading pair, mistake 11th, led 12th, headed next, led again 4 out, challenged flat, held on
We may well be swayed by the market but FERGAL'S FIND, Who Else Knew and De Luain Gorm are three of the likelier contenders with the first named selected. The gelding is making a belated Hunter Chase debut but he has been in fine form between the flags and scored readily at Chaddesley Corbett when last in action. The runner-up has shown enough in this sphere for the same yard to believe that Fergal's Find can hold his own. Hautclan had some good days in his prime under Rules but was rather an independent thinker and often wore headgear. De Luain Gorm won impressively at Cheltenham in May but may prefer a firmer surface than he'll encounter here whilst Lindsay is an honest sort but vulnerable. This may prove to be an insufficient test of stamina for Newbay Bob who has struggled to get his head in front where it matters in the past but it will be fine for Who Else Knew who has made the frame in two similar contests in the past. It should also be no problem for the selection, Fergal's Find.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Set strong pace, blundered and headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Reflector (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May, 17 ran.
Lindsay (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, soon weakened, left a distant 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 10, 39l behind Back Nine (12-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Fergal's Find (IRE) 15-8 (12-3) (tt) held up; rdn & qcknd to ld 2 out; sn clr, won at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Hambaphambili (12-3) by 7l, 8 ran.
Gazump (FR) 20-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd 14; pulled up in race won by Ask Again (12-7) at Chipley Park 3m ptp sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Hardknott (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) In tch til wknd 13; pulled up in race won by Jean's Joy (11-7) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb, 7 ran.
Hautclan (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Led to 3rd, chased leader, led 10th, headed 12th, mistake 14th, jumped slowly 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 28l behind Mister Apple's (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Newbay Bob 3-1 (12-0) Led til aft 2; led 6 til hdd aft 10; led 2 out; r.o wl, won at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Shacklesborough (11-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Chased leading pair from 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Dante's Storm (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
