held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 6th, mistake 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off when blundered last
led, mistake 2nd, headed 11th, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 3 out, not fluent last, eagerly
held up in rear, not jumped well throughout, under pressure 5th, never a factor
tracked leaders, slipped on landing 8th, soon pulled up
with leader, lost place before 8th, pulled up after 10th
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, went 2nd after 8th, led 11th, took wrong cause and rode a circuit too soon, soon pulled up
This appears to be a decent opportunity for Cathedral Rock to open his account with Shouldhavehadthat probably the one to beat although Alderman Rose is of some interest on his chase bow. He made a satisfactory chase debut over an inadequate 2 miles at Lingfield on his seasonal reappearance before producing a better display when stepped up to two miles five at Huntingdon where he was given plenty to do. He may well have finished closer if he'd been ridden closer to the pace but that shouldn't be an issue over this trip and he can land this. Shouldhavehadthat was still travelling well enough when falling at Hereford on his first run over 3 miles but he was still some way from home. The trip is unlikely to be an issue and he has form claims but his trainer hasn't enjoyed a great deal of luck here in recent years. Harringay looks worth a try at this trip but may not be one to rely on whilst Alderman Rose is bred for this game and did win twice over hurdles so he is considered but Cathedral Rock's experience can help land him the spoils.
Alderman Rose 15-8jt-fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 7, 11l behind The Crazy Parson (9-11) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Cathedral Rock (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Held up and behind, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Pedros Brief (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Flemen Loon (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Prominent, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Gidam Gidam (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Gemini Storm 40-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, blundered 6th, went remote 3rd after 5 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Mr Strachan (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Inland Run (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway 5th, weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Silver Dagger (10-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun '06, 13 ran.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed 10th, close up when fell at the 11th in race won by Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Harringay 11-4 (10-12) Prominent, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace 3 out, 4th of 12, 16l behind Helen Wood (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
