held up on outside, headway 10th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next
chased leader to halfway, soon behind
mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
in touch, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
in touch on outside, outpaced 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, lost place halfway, soon struggling, tailed off from 4 out
in touch, reminders 5th, effort and every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, lost place 10th, outpaced when not fluent 12th, soon beaten
held up in rear, blundered 11th, struggling when mistake unseated rider 4 out
led, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression flat
always behind
If his class over hurdles can be transferred to chasing then CHIEF DAN GEORGE should be too much to handle for the likes of Lease Lend and Cast Iron Casey. Rated as high as 150 over hurdles, a mark at least 15lbs higher than his rivals here, the selection had a disappointing campaign last season after capturing the Sefton Novice's title in April '07. He ran a solid race in last season's World Hurdle despite finishing well down the field and his last run over the smaller obstacles was also better than the result suggests. If he reaches anywhere near his hurdles ability he should easily land this contest. If Chief Dan George doesn't get the hang of fences straight away then Lease Lend looks one of the best placed to take advantaged. He's shaped really well in three chase starts so far with his penultimate start suggesting a race of this quality is within him. The trip is of a little concern with him not quite getting it last time but he stays on well enough and could grab a share of the prize money. Cast Iron Casey had a solid introduction to steeple chasing when fourth of 12 last time. The winner of that race was rated 25lbs better over hurdles and has since gone on to score so it may, in the end, prove to be a decent debut and with that in mind has more than a chance. Bedlam Boy and Torkinking also have a claim on hurdles ratings but recent form suggests they need to improve so we opt for Chief Dan George to make a successful cashing debut.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, in 3rd and beat when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Kicks For Free (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Oct, 5 ran.
Billy Murphy 12-1 (10-12) Chased winner, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 22l behind Warsaw Pact (11-7) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Kalahari King (11-2) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, ridden and trailing approaching 5 out, no danger and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 7th of 12, 36l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Hernando's Boy 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened 6th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Overserved (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Island Key (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Held up, lost place halfway, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Merchant Red (11-1) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Lease Lend 9-4 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway to lead before 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Kealshore Boy (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs.
Logans Run (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened when mistake last, 4th of 7, 13l behind Rightway Star (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Pre Token 40-1 (10-11) Mistakes, held up in rear, effort 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 12, 28l behind Banoge (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gs.
Torkinking (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 4th, tailed off and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy, 11 ran.
Treehouse 7-2 (11-7) Held up; hdwy aft 3 out; r.o str flat; nt rch wnr, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mystically (11-7) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
