held up, driven along 7th, not fluent next, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th, remained prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last
behind, tailed off from 5th
held up, headway approaching 6th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
pulled hard, led, hit 3rd and 7th, headed approaching next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led approaching 8th, pressed when fell 3 out, dead
held up, behind from 9th
chased leader to 3rd, settled in touch after 5th, headway approaching 4 out, blundered and left in lead 3 out, driven out
This looks to be a virtual match between Marcel and Phar Out Phavorite and we will side with the first named, Norma Hill is the each-way selection. Martin Pipe's gelding reached a high of 144 over hurdles and has shown plenty of ability in two novice chases this season. He has taken on some top class performers and now his sights have been lowered he can get off the mark over the larger obstacles. Phar Out Phavorite has also come up against some tartars in his short chasing career. His third behind Cornish Sett at Newbury was a cracking effort and a repeat of that run will make him very hard to beat. Norma Hill his easily the third choice having finished an excellent third behind the very smart Voy Por Ustedes at Warwick last time. The rest have little to recommend them and so we return to Marcel as our idea of the winner.
Ideal Jack (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, lost place 7th, tailed off 4 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Wizard of Edge (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 20-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 4th, weakened 9th, 4th of 10, 45l behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Let's Rock 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 8th, weakened after next, 5th of 10, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Marcel (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Settled in 3rd, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Foreman (11-3) at Lingfield 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Neophyte (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Led and soon well clear, headed and weakened 9th pulled up 3 out in race won by My World (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs, 5 ran.
Phar Out Phavorite (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Calatagan (10-11) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gd, 10 ran.
Solar At'Em (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 12th, 4th of 9, well behind Taranis (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Don't Matter 80-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, left 2nd and hampered 3rd, lost 2nd 6th, weakened after 9th, 8th of 10, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Norma Hill 9-1 (10-3) Led to 6th, led again 7th to 8th, headed and ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Voy Por Ustedes (10-10) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (C) gd in Nov.
