led, headed 2nd, led again 4th,headed after 8th, disputed lead 10th, led next, ridden when headed 12th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, led briefly 12th, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out
led 2nd to 4th, led again approaching 9th, disputed next, headed approaching 11th, ridden and soon lost place, soon behind
prominent, ridden and weakened 12th, mistake 14th, pulled up before next
held up, awkward jump 1st, headway 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well
held up rear but in touch, headway 11th, led 13th, ridden when headed approaching 2 out. soon one pace
Montifault stands out here and gets the vote over Fair Wind and Macgeorge. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was very useful over fences and is one of a strong team of four that the Ditcheat handler has gone to war with in the hunter chases this season. Judged on his easy Ludlow success, he looks like one to follow in this sphere. Macgeorge, decent that he is, has a lot to find on the selection on Ludlow form, while Fair Wind built on his pointing successes by winning at Towcester and finishing a fair second at Exeter. He can go well, but there is no getting away from Montifault, something that his rivals might find happening at Warwick in the finale.
Macgeorge (IRE) 11-2 Jumped left, led to 2nd, led again 4th, mistake 12th, headed next, weakened after 15th, 3rd of 7, well behind Montifault at Ludlow 3m hts chs (H) gs.
Montifault (FR) 11-8fav Keen, tracked leaders, led 13th, clear after 15th, very easily, won at Ludlow 3m hts chs (H) gs beating Mullensgrove by a distance, 7 ran.
Fair Wind (IRE) 2-1jt-fav won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd beating Lord Of The Mist by 4l, 11 ran.
Ourman (IRE) 18-1 Led to 8th, led again after next, ridden approaching 5 out, headed after 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 45l behind Sleeping Night at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs.
Kilbready Boy (IRE) 5-2 Held up, left 2nd 9th, not fluent 3 out, challenged next, every chance last when unseated rider, remounted, 3rd of 4, well behind Mont Misere at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (D) sft in Jan '02.
Tribal Run (IRE) 12-1 3rd of 9, 26l behind An Capall Dubh at Horseheath 3m ptp gd.