tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, not pace of winner
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, progress to chase leader after 3 out, every chance next, led approaching last, soon clear, canter
led, jumped left throughout, headed 3 out, rallied next, soon weakened, moderate 4th
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, weakened next, rallied approaching last, moderate 3rd
Handed a walkover at Plumpton last month, it seems harsh that OCEANA GOLD has to carry a penalty here. Emma Lavelle's seven-year-old was by far the best of these over hurdles, however, and should land the spoils as long his jumping holds up. Winning pointer Newlyn Bay is the most interesting of his rivals as he's shown promise in his last two starts over timber and will improve for the switch to fences. Hi Tide is flattered by his form figures over the larger obstacles and, like The Iron Giant, is starting to look a little exposed now.
Oceana Gold (10-5) Walk over, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Apr, 1 ran.
Hi Tide (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in last, not fluent 4th, mistake 3rd, left 3rd 3 out, close up when hit 2 out, not fluent last, no impression, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Shadrack (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Newlyn Bay 16-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no extra approaching last, 4th of 16, 7l behind Ramses De Marcigny (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gf.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Close up, mistake 12th, ridden and weakened 14th, 3rd of 4, well behind Five Out Of Five (10-12) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gf.
