Hunter Chase - Cheltenham Hunters Chase and 4.40 Fakenham

[Darran]

It's not been as active as last year due to their not being much pointing on either side of the Irish Sea, but I hope my Road To The Cheltenham Foxhunter thread has proved to be useful again this season. If you want to read any of that thread then the link is here.

 

Just the 24 runners entered at this stage in the race that used to be known as the Foxhunter and that is a maximum field so we could be looking at a smaller than usual field. I think that could be down to the fact we won't have some of the horses who run because either their jockey wants to ride in the race or their owners just want a day out. It's also been harder to qualify with no pointing and I do think sometimes you get horses who qualify and connections think they may as well give it a go. There is class in the race though. The last two winners are set to line up and last year's 2nd currently heads the market although I don't think he is right market leader. Here is my thoughts on all 24 runners.

 

Billaway - Found It Came To Pass too good last year and has 10L to make up on the winner this time around. He has had 3 runs this season and was beaten on his return at Fairyhouse by Stand Up And Fight. He followed that up though with two wins at Down Royal and Naas in the two main prep races for Cheltenham. Now he has started to hit a flat spot in his races and has looked in trouble but has so far always come back on the bridle to win pretty comfortably in the end. If that happens again then I reckon he will trade bigger in running than he currently is. The one concern with him is his jumping as a mistake at the last probably cost him victory at Fairyhouse and he didn't jump well last time. Connections blamed the heavy ground for that, but he will need to do better in that department. He is clearly a leading contender, but it could be worth backing him in running as I think he will trade bigger in running.

 

Bob And Co - This time last year I wouldn't have fancied him at all for this race as I didn't think he would stay, but in this game you should always be open to change your mind and I certainly have regards to him. Quite simply I think he wins and I think he should be favourite. I'm sure everyone remembers how unrideable he was on his British debut at Warwick when ridden by his owner and that still seems to play on peoples minds when talking about him, but he has settled really well in his 3 starts after that. If there had been a crowd then I guess that would have been a concern as it could have buzzed him up so the fact there isn't means I have no worries on that front. He has recorded RPR ratings of 150, 150 and 155 for his 3 wins and he has a pointing/hunter chase rating of 150 which is higher than It Came To Pass who is rated 146 and who recorded a RPR of 155 when he won this last year. His win at Haydock was the best performance we have seen in a hunter chase so far this season. To have a good field that spread out was some effort and the pulled up Garde Ville boosted the form when 2nd at Ludlow last week. His jumping was always foot perfect, but I wonder if that was just a bit of rustiness as he also put in some superb leaps along the way. He never looked like falling though and he clearly has some engine. His trainer believes the wind op has improved him which is scary for his opponents and it is one reason why I think he will see out the trip. Harry Cobden has chosen Chameron over him, but I will talk more about that when discussing him. It doesn't worry me though as there are reasons behind it in my view. Finally as much as David Maxwell should be riding him and he is a much improved jockey in recent years, it is clearly a plus for his chances that he will be ridden by a pro jockey. For me he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he will be able to prove it.

 

Chameron - First of all I will deal with why I think Harry Cobden has chosen him over Bob And Co. When the horse went pointing last season Harry became one of the owners and I would imagine he still would be if amateurs were allowed to ride in the race. That for me would be the main reason behind the decision, but I wonder if he also wanted to be loyal to Sam Loxton after Rose's sad death last year. He had become frustrating under rules for Nicholls, but was very impressive when winning 2 points at Larkhill last season. He returned at Leicester last month and made harder work than I thought he would in beating a weak field, but Harry said he hated the ground and the front two were miles clear. Better ground at Cheltenham should see him build on that effort. The 2nd came out and won at Catterick on Wednesday which was a boost to the form albeit he won a weak contest. He would have small stamina concerns as the only time he has run over this far he finished a well beaten last. I can see him going well, but I'm not sure he is good enough to actually win.

 

Hazel Hill - Was ruled out of a double bid on the day last year which was a shame because surely his chance of landing this for a 2nd time has gone now. He was stuffed by Highway Jewel at Chaddesley Corbett in December and although he won at Ludlow in good style you can pick all sorts of holes in that form. The 2nd Ravished and 4th Ennistown were pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and the 3rd Miss Seagreen was stuffed at Ludlow last week. I'd imagine that Alex Edwards will choose him if the Rowley's run all 3 of their entries, but you could argue he has the worse chance of the 3 on current form.

 

It Came To Pass - Bolted up last year at 66/1 having been 300/1 during the morning and you couldn't rule out him doing the same again. His chance wasn't obvious last year, but he had beaten Billaway in a hunter chase at Cork in April 2019 so you couldn't say it was a total shock. I thought he ran a really promising race on his seasonal return at Fairyhouse behind Stand Up And Fight and Billaway. He finished 4th that afternoon, but his trainer had said beforehand he would need the run and the ground wasn't ideal so for him to run so well before tiring late on was good. I would imagine he would have had a prep run in a point again as per last year, but was forced into running in a Thurles hunter chase instead last month. To be fair to connections they were pretty honest in saying that he was there as a prep run so the fact he was never put into the race wasn't a great surprise. What was a surprise was that he unseated his rider at 3 out as it was out of shot and he doesn't usually make mistakes. Even so it was basically a similar run to when he pulled up in his prep run last season. He clearly thrives at this time of year and unless the ground is bottomless he would have a leading chance.

 

Latenightpass - A course and distance winner having landed the Intermediate Final on hunter chase night 2 years ago. He looked like he would win easily that night, but then idled on the run in which is something he also did when winning on his seasonal debut at Warwick. I thought that was a hell of a performance because he raced freely and helped set a blistering gallop which led to some good horses being really beaten. Marcle Ridge who was 6th last year was beaten 35L in 4th, Ange Des Malberaux who was running a big race when falling at Ludlow in Hazel Hill's race was beaten 60L in 6th, Monbeg Gold pulled up and he ran really well to finish 2nd at Doncaster and 6th Dr Des and pulled up Sonneofpresenting have also run with credit since. The one horse who has let the form down on the face of it was 3rd home The Worlds End as he was stuffed at Haydock, but I reckon the two quick races and the hard race he had at Warwick left its mark so I wouldn't be quick to use him as a solid yardstick. Given I fancied Highway Jewel to run a big race in this before she wasn't entered I have to give him a great e/w chance here for a yard who have been flying so far this season.

 

Law Of Gold - Landed the 2019 John Corbet Cup at Stratford and ran a decent enough race to finish 7th in this race last year. I thought he ran a good trial for this at Doncaster last month when he ran like he needed the run behind Silsol and Monbeg Gold. He is only 8 so you would imagine there is more progression to come, but he still has 38L to turn around on It Came To Pass as well as having Billaway and Staker Wallace in front of him. He might be capable of closing the gap and the quicker the ground the better for him, but I'm not sure he is good enough to go and reverse that form.

 

Mighty Stowaway - Was very impressive when beating Rewritetherules by 30L in an Open at Tinahely in October, but never looked like landing a serious blow at Fairyhouse when Stand Up And Fight and Billaway finished in front of him. He's not been seen since and I find it hard to see how he can reverse the form and I would imagine It Came To Pass will reverse the form.

 

Monbeg Gold - Was outbattled by Silsol for me at Doncaster and I reckon Law Of Gold will reverse the form of that Doncaster run so I find it hard to give him much of a chance.

 

Mr Mantilla - Just had the 6 runs in Irish points between November 2019 and December last year. He has won 5 of them and was beaten just a head in the other. He is clearly useful, but it is very hard to win this race with no rules experience and so little experience full stop. I don't think it's great he's been off the track for so long either and although he's a dark horse I do think it is hard to see him being good enough to win at this stage of his career.

 

Porlock Bay - Another to come over from France and he put in a superb performance to win on his British debut at Kimble in November. That came over 2m4f which was the furthest he had ever been in a race at that point. He then stepped up in trip to 3m1f at Wincanton where he finished 2nd to Sametegal. I thought he should have won that race and he was given a very negative ride in an effort to just qualify for Cheltenham and to stay the trip. The problem is we still don't really know if he will stay in this and the form has been shot to pieces. Sametegal was beaten at Fontwell at long odds on and clearly isn't a strong stayer. The 3rd was stuffed at Doncaster, the 4th was stuffed at Leicester and the 6th somehow finished a well beaten 3rd to Duhallow Tornado at Wetherby after being tailed off. So essentially he has been beaten by a horse who doesn't really stay and the ones in behind aren't up too much. He clearly has an engine and he would interest me at Aintree, but I think he will be outstayed here.

 

Ravished - No doubt his trainer will fancy him, but I can't give him any chance at all. What I will say is if we get a good surface it will help him, but he's already been beaten by Hazel Hill and Bob And Co so hard to see how he can win this.

 

Red Indian - Very shrewd of connections to get his qualification in nice and early by winning two Ladies Opens at Bishops Court and Alnwick. He had lost his way a bit under rules so I can see why connections have gone down this route with him and he is Kelly Morgan's only horse in training. There has to be some stamina concerns as he's never looked like he does fully see this trip out, but he didn't run too badly in the Peter Marsh at Haydock last January over nearly this far. Top Wood finished a very close 2nd in this for connections 3 years ago and he finished 3rd two years ago so they certainly know what is needed for this race. The bare form of his pointing wins is nothing special and the two horses directly behind him at Alnwick have been well beaten in hunter chases since, but I do think he has place chances.

 

Salvatore - For me he is the leading hope of the 3 entered from the yard. He was very well backed in the Intermediate Final won by Latenightpass 2 years ago. He didn't have a great deal of luck as he found himself outpaced as well as getting badly hampered twice in quick succession at the top of the hill. He finally stayed on well to finish 3rd. He looks a stayer based on that but he did manage to win at Didmarton last March which isn't a stamina test. That was his 3rd win last season in 4 starts with the defeat a close 3rd to Foxhunter 3rd Shantou Flyer. This season he won at Larkhill and I initially thought the form wasn't that strong, but with the 3rd Trio For Rio impressively winning at Ludlow I have had 2nd thoughts on that. I should add though that the 2nd has disappointed since. He then went to Musselburgh and he outstayed Alcala in the Scottish Foxhunter. Alcala went back their to win last week although it was a weak race. He's only 8 and I can see him finishing his race off very strongly and he could hit the frame.

 

Sonnofpresenting - A complete no hoper.

 

Staker Wallace - I thought he had a massive chance in the race last year and he finished a decent enough 4th. This season he finished 2nd in his first two runs in points and then was hard held in winning a maiden hunters chase at Limerick. He then went to Naas and finished a good 2nd to Billaway. My concern about him though is his stamina as to my eye he lost ground on Billaway from the final fence to the line that day and as much as I can see him running well again I can see his effort flattening out again on the run in as it did last year.

 

Stand Up And Fight - He finished 6th in this 2 years ago and he was given a rare poor ride by Derek O'Connor. On that effort he looked one for future years, but after disappointing on his comeback run at Thurles he went onto win a point rather than come over to Cheltenham. He was tried in a handicap in the summer and pulled up there so the suspicion was he had completely lost his way, but then went and beat Billaway at Fairyhouse in November. He was only 4th behind him at Down Royal, but that race is over 2m5f and he could never go the pace to get himself involved. He ran on well again at Thurles last time when just beaten by Jury Duty. I think he probably needs to step up on that to win this, but he finished 2nd in a Grade 2 novice hurdle to Al Boum Photo in 2017 and he will stay well so I give him an e/w chance.

 

Wishing and Hoping - Some people were hoping he was going to run in the race last year, but connections thought he needed another years experience. He beat Duhallow Tornado on his seasonal return at Maisemore in October, but then was surprisingly beaten by Leicester winner Premier Magic at Chaddesley Corbett. Stepped up on that when 2nd at Haydock to Bob And Co, but was 17L behind him that day and I don't see how he can get anywhere near to reversing that form.

 

Verdict - I will no doubt add to the ante-post bet I have had on Bob And Co next week once we get the enhanced place terms, but I am really strong on Bob And Co winning this. I think he is the best horse in the race and he should be favourite. His jumping wasn't always as good as it could be at Haydock, but he never looked like falling and it proved once again that he has a serious engine. He has to fully prove he stays this far, but the wind op will help on that front and his trainer thinks it has improved him. Billaway has to be respected, It Came To Pass should bounce back from his run last time and make a bold bid of making it back to back wins, whilst Red Indian, Stand Up And Fight, Latenightpass and Salvatore all make some sort of e/w claims at this stage.

 

Already advised 

Bob And Co 1pt e/w @ 25/1

Highway Jewel 0.5pts e/w @ 66/1 (N/R)

[Darran]

So time to sort out my final views ahead of the race. I am still very confident about Bob And Co winning the race and think the current 9/2 still represents a fair price if you haven't got the bigger prices already. We know he handles testing ground well, but I actually think given the way he travels that he will be even better on better ground. What it will do is help him see out the trip so that is certainly a plus. I thought it was very interesting that Andy Holding mentioned on the Oddschecker preview for Cheltenham that Bob And Co had recorded a sensational time figure for his Haydock win. Andy really knows his stuff wen it comes to times which is how he makes money from the game so that just increases my confidence. For me he is the one they all have to beat.

Billaway is clearly going to be thereabouts, but as I mention in the main preview I think he will trade bigger in running given he is likely to hit a flat spot. It Came To Pass seems about the right price now to me. I do expect him to show an improved showing from his two runs this season, but there is still a bit to be taken on trust and there isn't any juice in the price now. Staker Wallace has been backed and although a top 4 showing wouldn't surprise I just don't see him staying well enough to win this. A lot of shrewd people fancy Red Indian, but doesn't look any value to me at the current odds. He has looked good in both his point wins, but he has beaten very little and he would have to run a personal best for me to win this. He could be capable of doing so, but any value in his price has long gone. Andy also mentioned that Chameron had clocked a good figure at Leicester and he will appreciate the better ground as well. I was tempted to back him given Cobden is on, but I'm just not sure he will be good enough. Porlock Bay still isn't a big enough price for me to want to chance him given the doubts about his stamina. His trainer thinks he proved he stays at Wincanton, but I disagree and Wincanton and Kimble are both flat tracks. Law Of Gold will love the ground and should come on loads for the Doncaster run and he was half tempting, but I just wonder if he will be quite good enough.

Given I have a nice position on Bob And Co I am going to add 3 more e/w especially given bookies are going 4 places. First up is Latenightpass who I think is at least 10 points bigger than he ought to be. Highway Jewel might not be here, but he will represent a piece of form I reckon is very strong. Given how many front running winning rides we have seen this week that will play into this ones hands and as he showed at Warwick he can set a fast pace and keep it up. He has idled in both hunter chase wins so I don't think we have got to the bottom of him yet. He's a course and distance winner as well and I reckon he can run a huge race.

I am going to cover Stand Up And Fight who has beaten Billaway this season. As I mention in the preview above the trip at Down Royal was too short when finishing behind him after that. He looks an out and out stayer and although he might have preferred more cut I still think he will be finishing strongly. Also given how the Irish are doing this week I ought to have at least one of those covered.

It was obvious Alex Edwards would stick with Hazel Hill, but I still think his brother has a better chance with Salvatore at a much bigger price. Again he looks a stayer and had little luck behind Latenightpass in the Intermediate Final. He looks an improved horse this season based on his two wins and at 40/1 I think at the very least he can outrun his big odds.

Bob And Co 2.5pts @ 9/2 with Bet365 (if not already on at bigger prices)

Latenightpass 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Betfair

Stand Up And Fight 0.5pts e/w @ 14/1 with Bet365

Salvatore 0.25pts e/w @ 40/1 with Bet365

[The Equaliser]

7 hours ago, Darran said:

So time to sort out my final views ahead of the race. I am still very confident about Bob And Co winning the race and think the current 9/2 still represents a fair price if you haven't got the bigger prices already. We know he handles testing ground well, but I actually think given the way he travels that he will be even better on better ground. What it will do is help him see out the trip so that is certainly a plus. I thought it was very interesting that Andy Holding mentioned on the Oddschecker preview for Cheltenham that Bob And Co had recorded a sensational time figure for his Haydock win. Andy really knows his stuff wen it comes to times which is how he makes money from the game so that just increases my confidence. For me he is the one they all have to beat.

Billaway is clearly going to be thereabouts, but as I mention in the main preview I think he will trade bigger in running given he is likely to hit a flat spot. It Came To Pass seems about the right price now to me. I do expect him to show an improved showing from his two runs this season, but there is still a bit to be taken on trust and there isn't any juice in the price now. Staker Wallace has been backed and although a top 4 showing wouldn't surprise I just don't see him staying well enough to win this. A lot of shrewd people fancy Red Indian, but doesn't look any value to me at the current odds. He has looked good in both his point wins, but he has beaten very little and he would have to run a personal best for me to win this. He could be capable of doing so, but any value in his price has long gone. Andy also mentioned that Chameron had clocked a good figure at Leicester and he will appreciate the better ground as well. I was tempted to back him given Cobden is on, but I'm just not sure he will be good enough. Porlock Bay still isn't a big enough price for me to want to chance him given the doubts about his stamina. His trainer thinks he proved he stays at Wincanton, but I disagree and Wincanton and Kimble are both flat tracks. Law Of Gold will love the ground and should come on loads for the Doncaster run and he was half tempting, but I just wonder if he will be quite good enough.

Given I have a nice position on Bob And Co I am going to add 3 more e/w especially given bookies are going 4 places. First up is Latenightpass who I think is at least 10 points bigger than he ought to be. Highway Jewel might not be here, but he will represent a piece of form I reckon is very strong. Given how many front running winning rides we have seen this week that will play into this ones hands and as he showed at Warwick he can set a fast pace and keep it up. He has idled in both hunter chase wins so I don't think we have got to the bottom of him yet. He's a course and distance winner as well and I reckon he can run a huge race.

I am going to cover Stand Up And Fight who has beaten Billaway this season. As I mention in the preview above the trip at Down Royal was too short when finishing behind him after that. He looks an out and out stayer and although he might have preferred more cut I still think he will be finishing strongly. Also given how the Irish are doing this week I ought to have at least one of those covered.

It was obvious Alex Edwards would stick with Hazel Hill, but I still think his brother has a better chance with Salvatore at a much bigger price. Again he looks a stayer and had little luck behind Latenightpass in the Intermediate Final. He looks an improved horse this season based on his two wins and at 40/1 I think at the very least he can outrun his big odds.

Bob And Co 2.5pts @ 9/2 with Bet365 (if not already on at bigger prices)

Latenightpass 1pt e/w @ 25/1 with Betfair

Stand Up And Fight 0.5pts e/w @ 14/1 with Bet365

Salvatore 0.25pts e/w @ 40/1 with Bet365

Hi Darran, many thanks for your excellent detailed analysis.  I will look in more detail later.  Only wondering why you are backing Bob And Co at 9/2 when you have already backed it at 25/1 each way.

I know that the 4.40 at Fakenham is a far cry from the lofty heights of Cheltenham but I am wondering if you have a view about Ennistown being able to beat The Dellercheckout? Brian Hughes skipped Cheltenham so as to try and increase his winners towards the jockey's title so I'm wondering if Ennistown can overcome being pulled up last time out and go on to win.  No worries if you have no interest in the race.

 

 

[Darran]

29 minutes ago, The Equaliser said:

Hi Darran, many thanks for your excellent detailed analysis.  I will look in more detail later.  Only wondering why you are backing Bob And Co at 9/2 when you have already backed it at 25/1 each way.

I know that the 4.40 at Fakenham is a far cry from the lofty heights of Cheltenham but I am wondering if you have a view about Ennistown being able to beat The Dellercheckout? Brian Hughes skipped Cheltenham so as to try and increase his winners towards the jockey's title so I'm wondering if Ennistown can overcome being pulled up last time out and go on to win.  No worries if you have no interest in the race.

 

 

I'm not backing it again, but lots of people will be reading the preview who haven't had a bet yet which is why I have put it up again as I would still make it a bet at the odds. As for Fakenham I am about to write my preview for that.

[paceman]

I thought Bob and Co produced a very poor  time figure @ Haydock,or was that before going allowances?

[Darran]

Fakenham always used to have a hunter chase on this card and then they got rid of it for a few years before it returned in 2019. I have put up both winners as well since it returned so hopefully I can make it a hat-trick this afternoon. 

As the betting suggests I do think the race is a match between The Dellercheckout and Ennistown. The Dellercheckout did really well in his first 3 starts of last season when winning at Barbury, Sheriff Hutton and then on hunter chase debut at Ludlow when beating Monbeg Gold in decent style. That run sets the hunter chase standard, but he did go to Haydock for The Walrus and bombed out big time. Possibly the heavy ground was to blame but he also got a wind op in his time off the track and given the fact he still wears a tongue-tie there was clearly an issue with his wind. He returned in December at Barbury in the same race he had won the year before and he ran OK finishing a 14L 3rd to Marcle Ridge. That run suggested he needed it, but he's had another 3 months off so the benefit of that run has probably gone.

Regular readers may remember that I had Ennistown as a big eye-catcher when he was 4th behind Hazel Hill on his debut for new connections in January. He wasn't put into the race at all and was able to finish a keeping on 4th. The concern is that form hasn't been boosted at all since (unless Hazel Hill goes and runs well at Cheltenham an hour before!). He then went to The Walrus at Haydock and he didn't jump that well before pulling up. This race is obviously weaker than that contest and the crucial thing for me is that after running on testing ground both times this season he finally gets on to a sounder surface which will be much more suitable for him. The booking of Brian Hughes is very interesting and as I have mentioned before I'm a big fan of the trainer after what he did with Risk A Fine a couple of years ago.

Djin Conti is the only other one who can possibly win and he needs to come on for the run at Fontwell, but that was his first run for over year. Won a handicap at Warwick in April 2019 off 119 so is capable, but I'd want to see more than he showed at Fontwell to want to seriously consider backing him.

I think there is every chance we will see an improved performance from Ennistown and I will take him to beat The Dellercheckout and to be honest I would rate his Ludlow effort better than The Dellercheckout's 3rd at Barbury.

Ennistown 2pts @ 2/1 with Bet365

[Darran]

6 hours ago, paceman said:

I thought Bob and Co produced a very poor  time figure @ Haydock,or was that before going allowances?

Just going on what Andy Holding said in the video and he basis his figures on sectionals, basically said they were off the scale for a hunter chaser.

[Darran]

What a fantastic race this year's renewal served up and it was the most exciting finish of the week. I knew Porlock Bay was a class horse, but I was worried he wouldn't stay this far and thought Aintree was going to be his race. He proved me wrong though as he put in a superb performance. He jumped really well and it looked like he was always in front of Billaway on the run in. The form of his Wincanton win hasn't worked out, but clearly as discussed at the time he was given a pretty negative ride and if they had been bolder on him then you have to think he would have run out an easy winner that day. No future targets were mentioned after the race and I was surprised to not see him entered at Aintree, but I guess Stratford could the target now. It was good to see a British pointing success as well.

Billaway 2nd for the 2nd consecutive year and he put in his best performance of the season. He made the odd mistake, but his jumping was better than it has been in the past. He also didn't hit the flat spot he had in his previous races this season, maybe Paul Townend made the difference on that one. You would imagine he will bid to make it 3rd time lucky next year. He has been entered at Aintree and if he takes to it he has a leading chance.

Stake Wallace wasn't closer to the winner than he was last year, but was further behind Billaway. He stayed on well to just grab 3rd on the line, but he had been hampered when Bob And Co departed at 3 out so he would have finished a bit closer without that you would imagine. It was another solid run after his 4th last year, but he will be 11 next year and it is hard to see how he can finish any closer next season.

Latenightpass ran a stormer in 4th to land the e/w money having been in the front rank until he began to drop away turning for home. It was good to see him back up his Warwick win though and he would be another you would imagine would enjoy Aintree. I can also see Stratford being a likely target as well as he ought to be well suited to that test at the end of the season.

Fair play to Hazel Hill who performed really well to finish 5th and he certainly did better than I thought he would. His jumping let him down though as he jumped out to his right and made a couple of errors along the way as well. I'm sure connections are delighted with the 13yo and he might well end up back in the winners enclosure before the season is out.

Mighty Stowaway was next and he never threatened to get involved at any stage. Last year's winner It Came To Pass was just behind in 7th and he was a fair way below the form he showed last year. He made a bad mistake at the 9th though and although he did briefly look like he was going to play a part he ended up dropping away pretty tamely. I would imagine he will stick to Irish hunter chases from now on. Mr Mantilla was prominent for a fair way, but was well beaten in the end as I suspected he might be. He's clearly one to keep an eye on though as he has the potential to progress given how unexposed he is. Red Indian was going OK until he made a bad mistake at the 16th and he was a beaten horse after that. Stand Up And Fight was the last to finish and he was a big disappointment.

Chameron backers knew their fate early as he jumped terribly and had to be pulled up after the 6th. Hard to know why he did that and he is clearly better than it although I suspect they will go back pointing with him to get his confidence back. Given he went off at 12/1 last year I was surprised to see Law Of Gold start at 125/1 this time around as to me he looked to hold better claims, but as it turned out he did worse. Given his John Corbett Cup win a couple of years ago I can see him being aimed at Stratford in May which should see a better performance. Salvatore was let down by his jumping and he was pulled up like his stablemate Wishing And Hoping.

I have kept Bob And Co until last and it was certainly a case of what might have been as he was travelling every bit as well as the 1st two at the time of his departure. His jumping was actually pretty good for most of the way although he did make the odd niggly mistake. He jumped the 3rd last a bit skewwhiff and he couldn't get his landing gear out properly so he stumbled on landing. Sean tried hard to stay on, but he had little chance really and his chance was gone. He was found to have blood in his nostril after the race although it wasn't mentioned if he burst or not and it clearly wasn't bothering him at the time of his departure. Who knows where he would have finished, but surely he was going to finish 3rd at worse and it is a massive shame we didn't get to find out how good he is. Wherever he goes next his owner will be back on and although he has been entered at Aintree he looks the back up option to Cat Tiger.

So we were treated to a thrilling race and as per usual the winning time was 10 seconds slower than the Gold Cup. This ought to be the only time pro riders get to ride in the race, but at least we had the race this year which for me was the most important thing.

 

[yossa6133]

It was a cracking race, agree Hazel Hill did well but he was always just struggling to go the pace, knew he would battle on! Very unlucky on Bob and Co especially at the price you got.