held up rear, steady headway from 13th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, mistake 2 out, weakened
prominent, hit 11th, weakening when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear, mistake 1st, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, led 10th, hit 12th, quickened clear 3 out, easy
mid-division, reminders 5th, mistake 9th, ridden when hit 5 out, stayed on to chase clear winner from 2 out
led, jumped right 2nd and 3rd, blundered 7th, headed 10th, lost place from 13th
in touch, closer order 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, blundered badly 2nd, lost place 12th, driven and brief effort 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind from 13th
Kelly is still relatively unexposed over fences after just three starts over the larger obstacles and is taken to win his third race over fences with Paddy The Optimist and Fear Siuil rated her main dangers. The selection was something of an enigmatic performer over hurdles but seems to have taken well to chasing with wins at Huntingdon and Fakenham either side of a fall early on at Cheltenham. Potentially well treated on a mark of 107, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding can score again. Marin Pipe's Montreal has been around for a long time now and, while capable of taking a hand on his best, the eight-year-old has not been performing well enough of late to be strongly considered. Henry Daly's Waterberg has slipped to a fair mark and has to be of interest although a bigger threat may come from Paddy The Optimist. Dai Burchell's gelding has been in good form of late and has to be respected off his lightweight but there is a suspicion that the handicapper may now have his measure. Killultagh Storm is another worthy of a mention along with the potentially well-handicapped Fear Siuil but Kelly has an obvious chance and gets the vote.
