tracked leaders, chased winner before 5 out until before 4 out when left 2nd, weakening when mistake 3 out, hit 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, a length down on winner when fell 4 out
made all, clear after 3 out, easily
tracked winner until weakened after 6 out, left remote 3rd from 4 out
Irish import Green To Gold was last seen over hurdles at Cork in August when a good second in a handicap. He's been in very poor form on the all-weather subsequently but has some experience over fences and can do better. Oscar Close is a moderate hurdler who was beaten a long way on his chasing bow in May but a recent run on the Flat should have put him straight. Thelobstercatcher was the best of these over hurdles winning four times and though falling on his debut over fences at Chepstow this isn't nearly as tough and he should be in the firing-line. SUPER DIRECTA, three times a winner on the Flat in Germany, took some time to find his feet over hurdles but won twice in the spring and will be better for his chasing debut behind the promising Current Event at Fontwell. He looks the one to be on.
Green To Gold (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden from 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Bachelor Affair (11-4) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Aug.
Oscar Close (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway on outside 11th, outpaced when pecked 4 out, no chance with leaders from next, 4th of 9, 27l behind Life Of A Luso (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Super Directa (GER) 2-1 (11-1) Led, jumped slow 1st, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on to regain 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Current Event (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft.
Thelobstercatcher 16-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, mistake 6th, joined leader 8th, weakened 11th, mistake 5 out, fell next, in a race won by Ace High (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
