chased leaders, led 2 out, soon headed, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, raced wide, led after 2 out, clear approaching last, easily
soon led, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened
led early, chased leaders and raced wide, chased winner after 2 out, well held when jumped badly left last
Disappointingly just the four runners line up for this novices' chase and with Joseph Cornwall's Grenoli hard to recommend on all known form it really looks little more than a match between TAZBAR and Ginolad with preference for the former. The selection won well on his chasing debut when justifying short odds at Musselburgh in November and was not disgraced when chasing home Long Run in the Feltham subsequently. That form is easily the best on offer and Keith Reveley's gelding is the one they all have to beat. Neil Mulholland's Midnight Chase has run well in both starts over fences and has to be respected but he needs to improve to get the better of the selection. Australian import Ginolad was an easy winner on his debut for Venetia Williams in a beginners' chase at Fontwell last month and he looks the main danger to the selection, Tazbar.
Ginolad (AUS) 4-7fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped well, clear 3 out, very easily (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Fassaroe (11-0) by 37l, 4 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked clear leader, under pressure 14th, soon outpaced, headway 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Long Run (11-0) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Grenoli (FR) 150-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, went prominent 7th, led approaching next, narrow lead when fell 3 out, in a race won by Bergo (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Midnight Chase 7-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, hung left after 4 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Sullumo (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
