held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, hit 3 out, left chasing winner 2 out, no impression when hit last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, narrow lead 4 out, in command last, stayed on strongly, driven out
led 2nd, headed 12th, stayed chasing leaders, weakened 3 out, left poor 3rd 2 out
mistakes, behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 11th
tracked leaders, challenged from 6th, led and hit 12th, narrowly headed 4 out, every chance when blundered and fell 2 out
took keen hold, held up, hit 7th, blundered 9th, in touch, in rear when blundered and unseated rider 14th
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, not fluent 9th, ridden 11th, weakened 15th, tailed off
Celtic Son was hugely impressive at Wincanton last week and and should see off the likes of Church Island, Blue Business and Red Georgie with ease. Martin Pipe sent out Comply Or Die to win this last year, and in Celtic Son has the perfect ammunition to repeat the feat. The six-year-old was no slouch over hurdles, having picked up no less than five times before going off the boil on his final two outings at Ayr in April. Sent off as favourite on his chase debut at Wincanton last Saturday, he simply oozed class as he sailed from fence to fence, and without getting too carried away, he must surely be a leading candidate for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase here in march, even on the limited evidence so far. Owner David Johnson was pleased with the way that he tackled the tricky Wincanton fences, but we will know more after today. The Festival is also on the agenda for Church Island who quickened off a slow pace when scoring at Clonmel. He has done nothing wrong either but does not make as much appeal. Blue Business was a bit disappointing when a beaten odds-on favourite at Exeter on his chase debut but should be given a chance to atone and is watched with interest, while Red Georgie displayed plenty of stamina when bolting up at Chepstow and is best of the rest. Celtic Son is going to take all the beating, and if he does hack up, watch out for the reappearance of Over The Creek, whom connections reckon is even better at home.
Celtic Son (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Jumped well, prominent, led 10th, quicken on bit approaching 3 out, heavily eased from last, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd beating Napolitain (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Church Island (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Soon led, travelling best from before straight, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Clonmel 3m nov chs sft in Oct beating Coast To Coast (11-7) by 8l, 7 ran.
Red Georgie (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Made all, clear when pecked 2 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (D) sft in Oct beating Reflected Glory (11-0) by 10l, 8 ran.
Battling Buster (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Always in rear, tailed off 5f out, 18th of 19, well behind No Shenanigans (11-2) at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar '02.
Blue Business 1-2fav (11-0) In touch, led briefly approaching 4 out, jumped right next, soon ridden, 3rd and held when left 2nd last, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Dancer Life (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs in Oct.
Bob Bob Bobbin 11-4fav (11-7) Led to 3rd, tracked winner afterwards until weakened after 11th, 5th of 13, 32l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
Fisherman Jack 3-1 (12-5) won at Mollington 3m ptp gd in Mar '04 beating Grecian Star (12-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
