chased leaders on outside, 2nd and hit 3 out, upsides 2 out, soon led, driven out
led in start, held up, headway on inside 9th, 3rd 3 out (usual 4 out) every chance 2 out, 2nd between last two, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader until before 8th, chased leaders, lost place quickly and behind and struggling 10th (water), tailed off and pulled up before 12th
led, joined 2 out, soon headed, ridden and chased winner run til before the last, 3rd and held when mistake last,
chased leaders, stumbled badly and lost place 11th, beaten when blundered 13th, tailed off and pulled up before omitted 3 out
hit 2nd, last pair, never involved
chased leaders, 2nd before 8th until 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leading trio, ridden and beaten bypassing omitted 3 out
Nonrunner
Coombe Hill won between the flags 11 days ago and has won twice over this course and distance. He was only third in this last year but still makes more appeal than fellow veteran A New Rising, who returns from a break. Pacha Du Polder was taking on much stronger opposition in handicaps last spring and is still in the Nicholls yard but his stamina will be tested here and there must be a doubt over whether he retains all of his ability. There looked to be no fluke about DOUBLE DASH's victory in a fairly competitive heat at Taunton earlier this month and he'll probably take all the beating here if arriving in the same mood.
Coombe Hill 7-2 (12-7) Eff 4 out; led last; all out, won at Silverton 3m ptp gs beating Steeltown (12-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Double Dash 20-1 (11-9) Led in start and slowly away, towards rear, headway tracking leaders 7th, 4th travelling well 4 out, 3rd before 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft beating Double Bank (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
A New Rising (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led to 12th, led again next, headed before 5 out, led again 3 out, driven out, won at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (5) sft in May beating Barachois Silver (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sobre Tresor (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Gd hdwy 11; went 2nd nxt; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Working Title (12-0) at North Cornwall 3m ptp sft.
Alright John 5-2 (12-0) Plenty to do 15; str run to ld nr fin, won at Cornwall Hunt 3m ptp gs in Dec '12 beating Batu Ferringhi (12-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Degenerate (FR) 10-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs to 11; wl bhnd when pu 3 out, in a race won by What About Will (12-0) at Silverton 3m ptp gs, 10 ran.
Jamrham (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Hdwy 13; rdn 2 out; nt qckn, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Hall Kelly (12-0) at Point-to-Point Owners & Riders C 3m ptp gf in Dec '13.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent and pushed along briefly 6th, lost place 9th, no extra 3 out, weakened, 6th of 10, 42l behind Buywise (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
