never travelling in rear, lost touch 6th
led, ridden after 4 out, headed and weakened soon after 3 out
tracked leader, hit 4th, driven 6th, hit 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, driven clear approaching last, comfortable
held up, mid-division, headway 8th to track leaders, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, chased clear winner approaching last, no impression
outpaced in rear, some moderate late headway
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
Not the most competitive of novice handicap chases but we'll take Spring Dawn to score from Tarongo. The drop back in trip could provide the solution for the selection as he has indicated promise, without looking entirely convincing, in two chasing efforts to date. However, this represents a drop in grade and maybe the application of cheekpieces will help his concentration. In The Stars is also fitted with cheekpieces on his chasing debut after showing some promise in just two hurdling runs. Much as his trainer often buys horses with chasing in mind, he'll be doing well to score first time up over the larger obstacles. A winner over hurdles, Inigo Jones was given plenty of time to adjust to fencing at Folkestone on his chasing debut but showed enough to suggest that he can do better in time. Ifrane Balima appeared to show improved form on his chasing debut last time and, with that run under his belt, is entitled to improve but Tarak will need to step up on the level of form displayed on his jumping debut. By Contrast, the lightly raced Tarongo has proven consistent over fences despite unseating at Plumpton last time. He is also one of the more experienced of today's field in terms of chasing and has even managed a selling win at Folkestone. He might give the selection the most to do but, for today, we are happy enough to side with Spring Dawn.
