led to 2nd, pressed winner and tended to jump right after, led again after 9th, not fluent and headed 12th, pushed along after 5 out, hit next, soon lost place, weakened 2 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led 2nd to after 9th, led again 12th, went right next, not fluent 3 out, soon clear, driven out, readily
tracked rival pair, close up and went 2nd after 4 out, driven and kept on same pace from next, no chance with winner after
A tricky contest despite only three runners. But NEWTIDE comes out best at the weights having ended last season with a convincing 3m victory over hurdles here in April and Kim Bailey’s charge gets the vote in the hope he takes to the larger obstacles. Both of today’s rivals have a recent run under their belts with Johanos going close in a beginners’ chase at Chepstow while Secret Reprieve is upped in trip on the back of last month’s chasing debut over these fences and both have a shout in this.
Johanos (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 2nd until next, in front again 7th, joined last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Truckers Lodge (11-4) at Chepstow 3m (3) gs in Oct.
Newtide (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Always prominent, left 2nd at 4th, challenged bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out where not fluent, clear between last 2, in no danger after, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr beating Iwilldoit (11-8) by 9l, 14 ran.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Poker Play (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 5f (3) sft in Oct.
