held up, mistake 2nd, lost place 9th, pulled up next
led to 4th, chased leader, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up in touch, blundered 9th, went 2nd 5 out, led 3 out, not fluent next, kept on well
held up in touch, disputing 4th and prominent when fell 10th
chased leader, led 8th, headed next, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 4th, hit and headed 8th, led again next, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace
Green Ideal is a consistent performer and deserves to get his head in front but Ferdy Murphy's gelding is likely to once more find at least one too good in a race where preference is for Cordilla over Cambrian Dawn. The last mentioned would probably have made a winning start to his chase career but for falling two out at Hereford, however, he has twice failed to complete since then and a safer bet may be Cordilla. Admittedly the Nicky Richards-trained gelding has also failed to complete a chase but he looked unlucky when unseating Brian Harding at Bangor before getting bogged down in the mud at Chepstow last time. He may have too much class for his rivals and is taken to show his true ability today. Oliverjohn has shown ability but is inconsistent and of more interest may be Len Lungo's Jolika, who makes her debut over fences and may improve for the switch to the larger obstacles. Similar comments apply to stablemate Brave Lord but Cordilla may be different class to his rivals and he gets the vote.
