tracked leader, mistake 6th, ridden 5 out, weakened before next
led, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra run in
tracked leader, clear 2nd 5 out, outpaced after next, kept on under pressure run in
held up in rear, headway 5 out, went 2nd next, challenging when blundered 3 out and 2 out, led last, driven out
Pertino can defy topweight here at the expense of Mumaris, Moscow Leader and Bob's Buster. Pertino has had a spell over hurdles but appreciated being back over the bigger obstacles judged on his win over Mumaris at Ayr a fortnight ago. He attacked his fences with relish and be at the latter comfortably. Mumaris reopposes on eight-pound better terms so has a chance of turning the tables, but the feeling is that he still has it to do based on that prior meeting. Moscow Leader fell on his only attempt over fences at Kelso but has since won over timber at the Scottish track and followed up at Wetherby. He is in good heart then and not badly treated for another go at the bigger obstacles. He makes slightly more appeal than Bob's Buster who has more to do after winning a class F chase at Hexham. For the winner we return to Pertino.
