led, jumped right 7th and 8th, hit 11th and 14th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, soon led, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, hit 9th, outpaced 5 out, tailed off and jumped right from 3 out
Nonrunner
Muttley Maguire,Ashnaya and Slooghy look the three to concentrate on in this novices' chase and the confident vote is given to Muttley Maguire. The selection won well last time out when beating Rigmarole in good style and despite giving weight away to all his rivals in this contest Brendan Powell's six-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement and under his optimum conditions he is impossible to oppose. Ashnaya rates the main danger as she was a fair second behind Cool Cossack last time out. However her best form is over a shorter trip and for that reason she is passed over on this occasion. Slooghy was the best of these over hurdles and should be noted in the market but it will be some training performance if he can win this after an 817 day absence and he may just come on for the run. Shareef is another with place claims on his best form but he was let down by his jumping when fourth behind Native Daisy last time and for the winner we return to the progressive Muttley Maguire.
Muttley Maguire (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) With leader, led 6th, clear after 5 out, ridden 2 out, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf beating Rigmarole (11-2) by 11l, 9 ran.
Shareef (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, mistake 5th, chased leading pair from 3 out, no impression when mistake and lost 3rd last, 4th of 15, 14l behind Native Daisy (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Ashnaya (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed and rider lost whip 2 out, kept on from last, just held near finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Cool Cossack (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf.
Alchemystic (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Soon towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tribal Dispute (11-10) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (D) gf, 8 ran.
Slooghy (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) In touch, headway 4 out, close 2nd when brought down 3 out in race won by Springfield Scally (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Mar '03, 7 ran.
