held up in touch, went 3rd from 2nd, chased winner from 7th, kept on from 2 out, always well held
held up in rear, never on terms, left remote 3rd from last
led, mistake 6th, headed soon after, weakened before 5 out, in 3rd and well held when fell last
tracked leaders in 3rd until lost place and dropped rear from 2nd, never dangerous
held up towards rear, never a factor
jumped well, tracked leaders and keen, led before 7th, clear from 4 out, always in command
A big moment looms with the chasing debut of SPRINTER SACRE, with Nicky Henderson entrusting the ride to his conditional David Bass. That move means that this prospective high-class jumping prospect actually receives weight from all of his rivals in what looks an ideal starting point for his chasing career. With four wins and two places from six runs to date, the five-year-old looked all over an embryonic novice chaser when an an excellent third to Al Ferof in last season's Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival and should land this. Lightening Rod has more experience and did the job nicely at Hexham last time while Irish raider Celtic Wish has shown up nicely in a couple of Irish beginners chases but they may both be playing for places.
Lightening Rod 7-2 (11-0) In rear but in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd before last, led run-in, kept on strongly, won at Hexham 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov beating Signalman (10-13) by 4l, 5 ran.
Altan Khan 15-8fav (11-12) Behind, pushed along and struggling 5 out, never on terms, tailed off, 7th of 10, 30l behind Fred Bojangals (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
Celtic Wish (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Soon led, jumped well until not fluent and headed from 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 16, 16l behind Barel Of Laughs (11-10) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gs in Oct.
Front Of House (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th until after 9th, ridden 11th, behind next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Trustan Times (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) gd in Nov.
King's Counsel (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Prominent, jumped right and reminder 1st, outpaced 11th, 8 lengths 4th 2 out, no impression when blundered last, 4th of 6, 21l behind Trustan Times (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) gd in Nov.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, held up in mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, challenged 3 out, soon led, headed briefly next, hit and headed last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Al Ferof (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
