close up, jumped slow 2nd, steady to rear 6th, kept on approaching last, not reached leaders
tracked leader, led 4 out, soon ridden, hung right approaching last, headed and no extra flat
held up towards rear, headway 10th, chased leader and not fluent 2 out, ridden and ran on to lead flat
in touch, hit 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, ridden and some headway 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division, jumped slow 10th, improved 4 out, chased leader next, ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and some headway 3 out, soon one pace
held up, pulled up 2nd, dismounted
keen, soon led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened
Oulton Broad is selected to get the better of Seaniethesmuggler, Nawow and Don Valentino in the novices' chase. The form of Oulton Broad's first win over fences at Towcester in April is open to question, but at least he proved that day that he can jump a fence. He certainly did not like his rider using the whip on the run-in though as he did his best to eject him from the saddle. Although finding one too good on a return to the Northants track next time, the nine-year-old at least proved that his earlier effort was no fluke, and with Leighton Aspell taking over in the saddle, he can be fancied to last home. Seaniethesmuggler put a string of pulled-ups behind him when scoring at Market Rasen, scene of his only other career victory, so at least we know that he goes well on a right-handed track. He was due to go to the sales and a good effort here will not do his prospects any harm. Nawow was a shade fortunate to open his account over fences at Southwell as the favourite Bushido was going well when falling three out, but all credit to Peter Cundell's charge for sticking to his task, and at the age of five he has time on his side. Don Valentino has not got the hang of things over the bigger obstacles yet, and has another try after running over hurdles last time. His trainer will sort him out before too long, but today we prefer the claims of Oulton Broad.
Althrey Dandy (IRE) 4-5fav (12-7) 3rd of 9, 6l behind Monsieur Tagel (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp gd in May.
Don Valentino (POL) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 4th, weakened next, 7th of 11, 32l behind Tom Bell (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in May.
Master T (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, mistakes 8th and 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 11, 35l behind Celebration Town (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in May.
Monty Be Quick 33-1 (10-9) In touch, headway 7th, pecked 9th, outpaced next, left 2nd 3 out, stayed on to lead and jumped right 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gf in May beating Thyne Spirit (10-13) by 19l, 7 ran.
Oulton Broad 11-8 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden after 11th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Pequenita (10-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (E) gf in May.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) In touch, dropped to rear 5th, struggling from 7th, 5th of 6, 33l behind Adjawar (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (E) gs in May.
Nawow 7-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, led approaching next, kept on under pressure flat, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in May beating Milord Lescribaa (10-10) by 1l, 11 ran.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (D) gf in May beating Sailor A'Hoy (10-13) by 9l, 5 ran.
