tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, shaken up to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on well flat
chased leader to 8th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off
fluent 1st, held up in rear, headway when mistake 4 out, effort 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression
led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat
With Howard Johnson's horses coming into good from now there is likely to be plenty of support for Motive on his reappearance and chasing debut and he has to be respected on ground that suits but marginal preference is for MR CRYSTAL, who gets the vote ahead of Lady Pilot. Jim Best's mare lacks any chasing experience but she showed a decent level of form over hurdles last term and comes here fit following a recent run on the level so she has to be respected. Gordon Elliott's Nico Cochise has been in good heart over hurdles in Ireland of late and he has to be considered on his chasing debut. Musical Weld has the benefit of chasing experience but has been well held in all starts over fences and a better bet looks to be Mr Crystal. Micky Hammond's gelding comes here fit and in-form from recent starts on the Flat, was easily the pick of these over hurdles and he is taken to make a winning start to his chasing career.
Mr Crystal (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Led until headed approaching 2nd and stayed in touch, led again approaching 7th until headed after 4 out, ridden and soon weakened, last of 9, 26l behind Folk Tune (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Musical Weld 10-1 (10-3) Close up, ridden after 5 out weakened from 3 out, 6th of 11, 34l behind Bennynthejets (11-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Lady Pilot 20-1 (10-3) Held up, always behind, tailed off, last of 12, well behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Nino Cochise (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Made all, keen hold, jumped well and clear for most, reduced lead and strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Listowel 2m hdl hvy in Sep beating Boulavogue (11-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Motive (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, outpaced and reminders 4 out, kept on one pace from last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Still At Lunch (10-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May.
