chsd ldr to after 3 out, wknd appr next
hld up, hdw 13th, narrow ldr 2 out, jnd appr last, styd on gamely flat
chsd ldrs unt wknd and bh fr 14th, t.o wh p.u bf 2 out
hld up in rr, std hdw 16th, ef gng wl 2 out, e.c last, ed left and not qn flat
A smashing novices' chase, one well worthy of the good prize money. Rated 122 at best over hurdles, Iverain won well on his chasing debut at Wincanton and lost very little in defeat when finishing second to Tarxien over today's course and distance on 16 November. His performance will allow his trainer, Paul Nicholls, plus Martin Pipe, Henrietta Knight and Robert Alner to gain some idea as to where their representatives (and others from their stables) stand in the novice chasing pecking order. Admittedly, Iverain finished 23 lengths behind Tarxien (who was receiving 5lbs) but today's trip will suit better and he is, in the main, a safe jumper. His Wincanton win from Lucky Bay has already been franked by that gelding winning a very good contest at Newbury. The stoutly-bred Sir Rembrandt is well-regarded by his shrewd trainer and the form of his Newbury win is pretty decent. The Villager has won six of his 11 starts, including his sole chase effort, at Bangor. He stays well and testing going suits him well but he will need to improve on the bare form of that win although he's a very promising novice chaser. Tribal King represents Henrietta Knight. He has won two of his five chases but was well behind Sir Rembrandt at Newbury. Based on that, he has a bit to find. It Takes Time, from Martin Pipe's stable, is a very exciting prospect. Third in this year's Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle, he put up a fine effort when failing by only a length-and-a-quarter and half-a-length to give 22lbs and 23lbs respectively to Native Emperor and Yeoman's Point here over hurdles last time. The best of this field over hurdles, he has to be considered even though it is his chasing debut. Rushing Again looks out of his depth whereas Whereareyounow is being asked a big question on only his third run and his first over the bigger obstacles. The TEAMtalk selection goes to Sir Rembrandt. He is every inch a chaser and, while his trainer thinks he might just fall short of the very best this season, he is a safe jumper, stays well and might just be able to take advantage of things at this stage of the season in an excellent contest.
