prominent, led 3 out, hit last, strongly challenged and kept on well under pressure
held up and never dangerous
held up, slow 8th, chased leaders 4 out, never on terms
prominent, slow 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened 11th
held up in touch, chased leaders from 3 out, kept on same pace
led until 3 out, rallied to challenge and every chance from last, stayed on
mid-division, jumped left throughout, weakened before 4 out
Tom George has a good record with his chasers at the track and his newcomer to fences Broken Reed makes the shortlist here along with College Ace, the experienced Master T and Couding Over, with the vote going to the unexposed College Ace. The selection ran well until fading late on his chasing debut after a six-month absence and if benefiting from this run he can win what looks a competitive handicap chase. Broken Reed must be of interest thrust straight into a handicap on his chasing debut, and Tom George is bound to have his horse well schooled, however this could be a tough introduction and so he is passed over. Both Clouding Over and Master T have won over course and distance so both go on the shortlist, and with the former dropping back to more realistic company today, he could go very well. Master T was fortunate to win last time out when left in the lead at the last fence, and probably isn't good enough to take this race unless presented with similar good fortune. Therefore in a tricky contest, the tentative vote goes to Phillip Hobbs' College Ace.
College Ace (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Close up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Clouding Over 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 13, 10l behind Sunisa (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Master T (USA) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, challenging when mistake 4 out, renewed effort to lead narrowly 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct beating Stern (11-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Wicked Nice Fella (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led after 7th, headed 9th, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Supreme Catch (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Broken Reed (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Mistakes, held up in touch, headway 3 out, led next, mistake last, ridden and held on flat, won at Perth 3m hdl (4) sft in May beating Powerlove (10-13) by 1l, 7 ran.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Raced wide, behind, stayed on from 2 out, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Chickapeakray (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Flirty Jill 7-2 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway to challenge 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 17, 13l behind Colorado Pearl (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
