prominent, led after 2nd, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no impression on winner after, kept on
held up, closed after 2nd, chasing leaders when fell 5th
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 6th, mistake 2 out, went 2nd last bend, ridden to lead flat, ran on well, readily
held up, hit 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led until after 2nd, prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, 4th and one pace last
prominent, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, awkward 3rd, closed on outside 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out, 3rd last, stayed on same pace, no impression on front pair
The first race of the new season at jumping’s HQ is a tricky puzzle to solve. Net De Treve is probably the least exposed but, like Sizing Cusimano, will need to take a big step forward to be competitive. Havana Beat is the senior runner but a Listed winner on the Flat who came good over hurdles in the spring, winning a valuable conditionals’ race at Aintree. Rocco won well at Chepstow earlier this month but this looks a big ask for Grageelagh Girl, only third when odds-on at Perth in July. Ireland holds a strong hand and will be out to lay down a marker. Make My Heart Fly has won four times since June but looked in need of a rest last time over fences. Go Another One keeps improving, however, and bids for a third win in four starts. CANARDIER has faced some stiff tasks since winning at Down Royal in May. He probably didn’t stay 3m last time and is almost guaranteed to run his race again so gets a tentative vote.
Go Another One (IRE) 6-4fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd going well before omitted last, led after omitted last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Sep beating Forever Field (10-13) by 4l, 8 ran.
Havana Beat (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 9l behind Archimento (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Canardier (FR) 3-1 (11-1) Mid-division, progress into 4th halfway, closer and ridden after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on to challenge and mistake last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Woodland Opera (11-5) at Down Royal 3m gf in Aug.
Net De Treve (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Keen in mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led before last, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Templepark (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Rocco (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led until 4th, pushed along approaching 3 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out, rallied between last 2 edged left and led last, stayed on, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Benny's Bridge (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sizing Cusimano 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 1st, green in front and jumped left 2nd, strongly challenged when left lone finisher 2 out, eased, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Jun
Grageelagh Girl (IRE) 2-7fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, driven and effort on inside when blundered 2 out, outpaced when switched left between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Placedela Concorde (11-4) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Make My Heart Fly (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) A little keen, tracked leaders, 4th at 5th, mistake 3 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Bargy Lady (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Oct.
