jumped left, held up, lost touch from approaching 7th, poor 5th when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
led, headed after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
behind no chance from 7th
held up, mistake 3rd, no chance from 7th, tailed off when blundered last
chased leaders, led 3 out, clear approaching last, ran on well
jumped right, tracked leader from 2nd, led after 9th, headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leader to 2nd, held up, headway approaching 9th, chased winner 2 out, no impression
Trouble At Bay gets the vote in this novices chase with Opera de Coeur and Genghis rating the main dangers. The selection was the best of these over hurdles has reportedly schooled well at home and under conditions that suit he is taken to score with his yard continuing in good form. Opera de coeur rates the main danger on her best form but was far from fluent last time and although this better ground will suit she can not be put forward with any confidence. Genghis is another that could go well on his latest second behind Bob Hall but the drop in trip has to be of concern and he is opposable on that basis. Ursis needs to improve for the switch to fences if he is to score while Bright Eagle ran well last time and could go well at a price but this looks tougher and with this in mind for the winner we return to Trouble At Bay.
Bright Eagle (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, led next, hung right after last, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Orang Outan (10-4) at Southwell 2m mdn chs (4) gs.
Genghis (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Led, mistake 2nd, clear 6th, mistake 9th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 2nd of 6, 27l behind Bob Hall (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Hi Tech 100-1 (11-4) Held up, struggling 5th, soon tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Westender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (B) gd in Jan '05.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off 6th, 6th of 7, well behind Ease The Way (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Trouble At Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, effort 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 17l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Ursis (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 16, 37l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 1-2fav (10-7) Held up, blundered badly 5th and again 6th, not recover, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Dictum (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place before 6th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Ease The Way (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gs.
