made all, raced keenly, soon clear, 5 lengths ahead 4 out, not fluent last, driven out
held up in 4th, mistake 3rd, headway to go 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, mistakes 3rd and 4th, fell 7th
chased winner who was soon clear, closed gap to 5 lengths 4 out, no impression
held up in rear, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up in 3rd, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out
Paul Nicholls won this race last year with Oumeyade so Tchico Polos must be respected despite his penalty, however he has plenty to find with SUNNYHILLBOY on their Sandown run in December and so it is the last-named who is taken to prevail. The selection was last seen at Aintree in April where he ran out a ready winner of a competitive handicap. He is bred to make up into a very good chaser and if he jumps with some fluency then he should go close. Sporting Medic is an Irish recruit to Bernard Llewellyn's yard and this half-brother to Safari Run must be considered along with the progressive hurdler Forty Five. Dee Ee Williams was in fine form over hurdles at this time last season however any further rain must be a question mark, as it will be for Tchico Polos as his best efforts have come on a better surface. Awesome George ran well on a variety of surfaces last season and this course winner needs respect along with Dastardly Dick who looks bound to improve now tackling fences for the first time. The best novices' chase of the season so far and it is Sunnyhillboy who edges the vote.
Tchico Polos (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Tended to jump right, made all, hit 5th, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) gf in May beating Martys Mission (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Awesome George 11-8 (11-8) Held up in touch, left in lead after 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Busker Royal (11-3) by 13l, 6 ran.
Darstardly Dick (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, under pressure from 5th, weakened well before 2 out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Trenchant (10-11) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Forty Five (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway to track leaders after 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, led on bit approaching last, soon heavily eased flat, won at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Gunnadoit (10-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out where mistakes, led before last, ran on well flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Prince Taime (11-2) by 4l, 22 ran.
Sporting Medic (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, hanging left, not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Take Me There (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '08.
