chased leaders, improved 7th, led 13th, mistake last, lost momentum, soon headed, ridden and stayed on close home
led and mistake 1st, headed next, remained handy, chased leader 3 out, looked held approaching last when leader blundered, soon led and stayed on close home
close up, with leader 13th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, mistake 9th, headed 13th, mistake next, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up, mistake 6th, improved to track leader 11th, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when blundered last
held up, improved 4th, ridden and weakened 11th, blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
always in rear, mistake 14th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
With Harry Collins, Kelly, Go White Lightning and Jesper all rated in the low 100s, this is an interesting heat, with the vote going to Kelly. The selection was not always the most reliable over hurdles but caught the eye when scoring at Huntingdon two runs ago. Much as he fell last time, we will give him another chance today to confirm that earlier view. Harry Collins has won over course and distance, although he also came to grief last time, and has to be afforded a chance. However, Go White Lightning ran very well to finish fourth in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time and, given that he has proven that he can act around sharp tracks, is worthy of all due respect too. Jesper has scored over course and distance, although that came in a modest event and we prefer the claims of Kelly, who gets our vote.
Harry Collins 9-2fav Mostly chased clear leading pair, 3rd and closing when fell 4 out in race won by Native Daisy at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Kelly (SAF) 10-1 Behind, blundered 13th, well beaten when fell 4 out in race won by Native Daisy at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Tipp Top (IRE) 7-2jt-fav Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Fiori at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
Go White Lightning (IRE) 100-1 Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 20, 8l behind Another Rum at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (B) gd in Mar.
Jesper (FR) 25-1 In mid-division until weakened 9th, 10th of 16, 20l behind Comanche War Paint at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (D) gd in Apr.
Proper Poser (IRE) 100-1 Prominent, blundered 1st, lost place 3rd, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Saafend Rocket at Ludlow 2m nov chs (D) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Tails I Win 14-1 Mid-division, lost place 10th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Farlington at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
