tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, challenging when not fluent next, mistake last, soon carried right, nowhere to go when false rail came up soon after, veered sharply left and saddle slipped, not recover
jumped awkwardly at times, raced keenly in rear, last but still in touch when fell 11th
raced keenly, led until 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, improved 10th, beaten when not fluent 3 out
pressed leader, led 7th, pressed by runner up 2 out, hung right after last, switched sharply left flat to avoid false rail, left clear
A Novices' Chase where the vote is given to FONT in the absence of any strong opposition. With an official rating of 129, the selection may be hard to place later in the season. However connections appear to have found a soft race for him today. He was a good hurdler and although he may not be so good over fences judging by his recent second at Stratford, he has the class to make it tell in this race. Bideford Legend goes straight to fences from bumpers, and is bred for the job, whilst It's A Roofer showed very little on his chasing debut last time out. Pipers Legend is no superstar (rated 97) and has plenty to prove, despite a better run last time, whilst the 125-rated Rodrigo Gonzales is yet to win in four starts over fences. He has some very good bits of form, including a solid second to Pressgang over the Christmas period, however his form has a very patchy look to it especially on a softer surface. Not a race to get involved in but this really should go the way of Font.
Font 5-2 (11-6) Soon chasing leaders, went 3rd 3rd, went 2nd after 10th, not fluent and hampered 4 out, challenging under strong pressure after 2 out, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Martys Mission (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f nov stks (3) gd in May.
Bideford Legend (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 9th 6f out, soon ridden and no impression, 10th of 15, 27l behind Red Hot Poker (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f N H flat gs in May.
It's A Roofer (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off after 10th, 7th of 14, well behind Flemross (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov stks (4) gd in Jun.
Pipers Legend 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Cold Mountain (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) In touch, ridden and weakened 15th, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Double Dizzy (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
