chased leaders, chased winner from 11th, ridden 3 out, kept on
held up and keen, lost place 5th, soon tailed off
made all, ridden after 3 out, kept on
tracked winner, pushed along after 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
always behind, mistake 5th when losing place, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
There have been a few hard luck stories for supporters of Winter Garden, but the gelding can finally get it right here and win this poor novices' contest, with nothing else at all making appeal. The selection has endured eight seconds from ten starts in novices' chases, so clearly we wouldn't want the mortgage on. However, the pluses are that he performs on the ground, gets the trip, jumps well, and he has just been pipped on a few occasions. Speed is not his forte, but if he gives us another performance to the level of his last four runs then he must surely be a winner at last. Another Ace and Mackenzie will both view completing the course as a success, Toad Hall looks very slow and is plummeting through the ratings, but may plug on for second, though Now Then Sid looks the more likely one for the forecast judged on his hurdling form, if he can translate that on his chase debut. No doubt about the selection though, Winter Garden.
