Verdict

A very interesting novices’ chase which features a couple of Irish raiders. The Mouse Doctor has won over hurdles and on the Flat but DREAL DEAL makes more appeal. He proved a revelation last season, winning a Grade 2 hurdle at Punchestown in January, and may have gone over the top when tailed off in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. Arvico Bleu won a novices’ handicap here last month but limitations were exposed at Aintree and he has to give his rivals 10lb. Softer ground would have suited Cornerstone Lad, who is proving hard to place, but Word Has It was a progressive hurdler last term and Adrimel was highly tried over the smaller obstacles last season after landing a Grade 2 in the mud at Warwick in January.

Formwatch

Arvico Bleu (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 3rd, headed after next, led 5th, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Darling Du Large (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Adrimel (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent on inside, pushed along after 7th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.

Cornerstone Lad 5-4 (11-8) Led, pushed along and headed when mistake 3 out, battled back to lead briefly before last, outpaced flat and no extra, 2nd of 3, 3 3/4l behind Fransham (10-11) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Dreal Deal (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, dist behind My Drogo (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.

The Mouse Doctor (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Chased clear leader, closer in 4th halfway, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and no extra, 9th of 10, 12 1/4l behind New Society (8-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 5f hcp gf in Jun.

Word Has It (IRE) 2-11fav (11-6) Led, jumped right on occasions, pushed along before 2 out, went right and ridden approaching last, ran on flat, won at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Mar beating Wicked West (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 12 ran.