soon chased leaders, smooth headway to challenge winner after 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from next
led and keen early, headed 4th, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 14th, soon beaten
behind, blundered 3rd, soon lost touch, ridden from halfway
led 4th, hit 4 out, ridden next, staying on well when hit last, comfortably
tracked leader, ridden 12th, weakened from next
behind and soon tailed off, pulled up before 13th
Family Venture is unexposed over fences and is taken to continue winning ways over the larger obstacles at the main expense of Chergan and Arabian Moon. The last mentioned was a fair performer at his best over hurdles when with Simon Dow but showed little sign of encouragement on his debut for Martin Pipe back over fences at Plumpton earlier in the month and is probably best watched. Dual course winner Chergan is more than capable of taking a hand off today's mark but is arguably better over shorter and of more interest is Malcolm Jefferson's Clear Dawn, who has a nice racing weight and is running into form if judged by his last time out third at Market Rasen. Both Danteco and Blackout face a difficult task from out of the weights proper so the vote goes to Family Venture. Having made a winning debut over fences at Sedgefield in October, Ferdy Murphy's gelding unseated his rider at the first fence at Fakenham on his next start (before being remounted to finish third). The son of Montelimar put the disappointment of that effort behind him when making most to win over an extended 2m5f at Ayr off a mark of 103. A 10lb rise for that success is perfectly fair and Family Venture is taken to win again over a trip that should suit.
