tracked leader from 4th, every chance 3 out, one pace under pressure from next
always in rear, tailed off when mistake 10th
in touch, weakened and struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before next
prominent, made most from 8th, jumped right last 3, kept on well
prominent to 4th, gradually lost place, tailed off from 10th
in touch, mistake 1st, close 4th when brought down 4 out
held up, headway and in touch from 10th, close 3rd when blundered and fell 4 out
held up, no chance when slightly hampered and left poor 3rd 4 out
led until blundered and headed 8th, mistake next, tailed off from 10th
Murphy's Cardinal is the confident choice here, with Guard Duty and Petolinski taken to chase the selection home. The gelding from the Noel Chance yard will have conditions to suit here and is a big bold jumper who left a favourable impression last season, and he looks the type who will take well to chasing. He is returning from a break so may just need the run, but he is well thought of and looks a cut above many of his rivals. Guard Duty is respected as he ran well in good company over hurdles last season, although he was well beaten in a listed race at Aintree back in April. Prior to that he had caught the eye when staying on well at Cheltenham, and he could potentially make a decent chaser. He has been off the track for a while, and although he should go well here, Murphy¿s Cardinal is preferred. The rest should be fighting it out for place money, and Petolinski could represent some each-way value as he began to confirm his debut promise towards the end of last season. But Guard Duty and Murphy's Cardinal are the two to concentrate on, and the vote goes to the latter.
