in rear in 4th, chased leading pair from 10th, not fluent and weakened from 5 out
tracked winner until 7th, pecked badly 10th, pulled up
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 7th, reminders before 12th, reminders before 4 out, no chance with winner
made all, clear before 4 out, easily
Winning point-to-pointer Blazing Bull was beaten in a novice hunter chase when last seen two years ago and Alfred Oats has shown nothing in two starts over fences on this course. Referent has joined Sophie Leech after disappointing for Henry De Bromhead though he didn't run badly at Clonmel last time. However, he was receiving 8lb from SOLE WITNESS and finished around 6l behind when they were unplaced over timber at Navan in December and the Irish challenger ran a cracking race when runner-up to Harpsy Cord at Gowran last month.
Alfred Oats 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened after 5 out, last of 5, 17l behind Bishops Heir (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
Blazing Bull (IRE) (12-0) in a race won by The Poor Man (12-0) at Heslaker 3m ptp gd in May '10, 7 ran.
Referent (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, improved to lead before 4 out, strongly pressed and joined before 2 out, headed and no extra in 3rd from before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Mr Eko (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase sft in Feb.
Sole Witness (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 2nd approaching straight and headway to dispute 2 out, slight mistake and headed last, kept on under pressure run-in, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Harpsy Cord (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase sft in Feb.
