keen, chased leaders, hit 2nd, led 7th, hit 9th, blundered 14th, headed next, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace
behind, headway approaching 13th, every chance when hit last, soon ridden, found nil
led to 3rd, prominent until weakened 3 out
behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out
4th when fell 10th
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last
with leaders, mistake 1st, led 3rd to 7th, mistake 10th, weakened next
with leaders to 3rd, soon behind
chased leaders, led 15th, headed after 3 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, headed and not quicken flat
held up, mistake 11th, blundered 12th, soon weakened
Celtic Boy looks a progressive type and is taken to make the most of his race fitness and score at the main expense of Inca Trail and Run For Paddy. The selection is clearly a better chaser than hurdler and while not beating a great deal in a novices' chase at Perth last month, did so in great style and is taken to follow up. Backbeat showed decent form for David Elsworth last term before being pulled up in the Royal & SunAlliance on his only start for Howard Johnson so it will be interesting to see what he does this term. Sue Smith's Little Big Horse has a fitness edge but has been punished by the handicapper for wins against lesser types, while Cameron Bridge needs to step up on previous efforts this term. Inca Trail looked a reformed character last term and has to be respected on his return although the Nicholls team has been rather quiet of late and Run For Paddy may be best watched on his return but has claims on the pick of his form. Lack of peak fitness is not a problem for Celtic Boy though and he is taken to continue on the upward curve.
Backbeat (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Jumped poorly in rear, bad mistake 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Trabolgan (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Inca Trail (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Always behind, mistake 14th, struggling, tailed off, 10th of 19, 33l behind Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Little Big Horse (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leader, led 3rd, ridden clear last, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept beating Impek (11-8) by 11l, 13 ran.
Run For Paddy 7-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 10th, went 3rd at 13th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, all out, won at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Mar beating Lou Du Moulin Mas (10-2) by a shd, 10 ran.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) With leader, hit 2nd, led 10th, kept on to draw clear last, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (D) gs in Sept beating Lord Of Gortmerron (10-12) by 16l, 4 ran.
Cameron Bridge (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up, mistake 12th, struggling from next, went moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Duke of Buckingham (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Sept.
Harrycone Lewis 11-4jt-fav (11-8) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, led next, 1 length up when fell 2 out in race won by Cherry Gold (10-13) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in May, 10 ran.
The Bandit (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, brief effort 12th, weakened 14th, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by I Hear Thunder (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd, 11 ran.
Mr Fluffy 33-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Goblet of Fire (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Aug, 16 ran.
Swansea Bay 9-2 (12-1) Chased leaders, reminded 7th, driven along approaching 11th, 3rd when weakened 4 out, 3rd of 8, 21l behind The Sister (11-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Aug.
