led until mistake 2nd, left in lead 4th, joined 3 out, blundered and headed last, kept on under pressure towards finish
tracked leaders, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
tracked leader, led 2nd, fell 4th
held up, left 2nd at the 4th, headway to challenge 3 out, led last, all out
The disappointing Factor Fifteen has yet to deliver the goods but has a good chance of doing so against Magical Field on this, his chase debut. This does in essence look a two-horse race on paper, with Shogun and certainly Ratty's Band having nothing to recommend them. Factor Fifteen, formerly trained on the Flat by Ed Dunlop, was expected to make a name for himself when purchased by Graham Wylie, but has finished second three times in four starts over hurdles. Granted he has had to play second fiddle to the likes of Contraband and Paddy The Piper during his education, but the fact that he failed to justify odds-on favouritism against Silver Coin at Musselburgh 10 days ago puts us off making him a nailed on good thing. Fitted with cheekpieces for the first-time, he did not jump well, and if he does not improve here on this introduction to the bigger obstacles, will find Magical Field a major threat. The latter is still a maiden and was rated below the selection over hurdles, but Mary Reveley knows how to school them in readiness for a campaign over fences, and he should give a good account of himself. On the evidence so far, it would be no great surprise if Factor Fifteen came a cropper, and it is more in hope than optimism that he is selected ahead of Magical Field.
