held up in rear, hit 5th, headway 10th, 3rd and 3 lengths down when fell 4 out
held up, jumped right 1st 3, headway 10th, left 3rd 4 out, weakened next,
never going well, always towards rear
led to 5th, prominent to 14th, behind when blundered last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, ridden after 4 out, one pace last
always behind
in touch, hit 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 5th, jumped left 3 out, ridden out
in touch to 14th, took poor 3rd approaching last
A chance is taken with Baikaline, who edges preference over Ultimate Limit, Umbrella Man and Sir Cumference. The last named has gone well here in the past and should (assuming there is no overnight deterioration from good to firm on the Chase course) appreciate the ground. The handicapper has given him a chance and, as his stable won this with a similar type last year, he is well worth noting in the betting. Umbrella Man put in a fine performance on his reappearance at Huntingdon twelve days ago and will be a big threat if putting in a similar effort this afternoon. However, he had been off the track with niggling problems for two and a half years prior to that run and it has to be a concern that he makes such a quick reappearance after a hard race. Ultimate Limit is holding his form well and still has scope for improvement off his current mark. He can be a little bit free on occasions and he needs everything to drop just right for him. But Padge Brennan does get on well him and he looks a worthy option for each-way punters if the prices permit. However, Baikaline will be cherry ripe for this after his near miss over hurdles at Aintree last month and is fancied to make the most of a live chance at the weights. Ian Williams's charge is also versatile regarding the ground and has plenty going for him in this company.
Geton (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Never going well in rear, mistake 4th and next, soon tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Pretty Star (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Umbrella Man (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 10th, jumped right and chased winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Mini Dare (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Ultimate Limit 10-3 (10-8) Held up, ridden and headway 4 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led briefly approaching last, ran on but not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Lord Anner (10-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Oct.
Forest Dante (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 3rd, headed 8th, led again 9th, not fluent and headed 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Celtic Pride (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Feb.
Sir Cumference 5-2fav (11-7) Led, hit 5th, headed 15th, weakening when hit 4 out, 5th of 7, 34l behind Hehasalife (10-4) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Oct.
Runaway Bishop (USA) 6-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 9th, ridden next, weakened 12th, 4th of 8, 17l behind Never Awol (9-13) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft.
Baikaline (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, kept on, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct.
Channahrlie (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, led 7th, headed 10th, ridden from 15th, soon one pace, 2nd of 13, 14l behind Midnight Gunner (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Jazz du Forez (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 29l behind Coppermalt (10-9) at Stratford 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Sept.
