tracked leaders, ridden when pecked 3 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra, flat
led, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance last, stayed on
held up, headway 6th, ridden and switched left approaching last, no extra, flat
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
in touch to 7th, soon behind
always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, slipped and lost place 4 out, rallied next, ridden to lead 2 out, headed post
with leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace, flat
held up, headway and switched left approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on to lead post
held up and keen, headway when hampered 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next
Sir Talbot put in an eye-catching effort on his belated chase debut and gets the vote over Christopher, Be My Destiny and Old Marsh in the novices' chase. Sir Talbot was good enough to land the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 1999 and has continued to take on good company over timber since. Connections have left it late to put him over fences, but must have been extremely pleased with his introduction over two miles here a fortnight ago when it took the potentially top-class Keltic Bard to stop him. With that run under his belt, the 10-year-old can go one better over this longer trip. He should account for Be My Destiny again on the same terms, although the Mark Pitman-trained seven-year-old, who ploughed through the heavy going at Folkestone to score over hurdles a year ago, is a big imposing sort who will pay to follow in time. Christopher made a pleasing chase debut at Exeter on New Years Day and will be expected to take a hand also. He was not as good as the selection over hurdles though and a place may be the best that he can hope for. Old Marsh probably needed the outing at Hereford after a 10-month break, so shaped well enough on what was his chase bow. The trip here might be too far for him though, and he is opposed, with Sir Talbot appearing to hold all the aces.
