behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 4 out
blundered and unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, always travelling well, joined leader on bit approaching 2 out, soon led, comfortable
held up, weakened 6th
led, ridden and joined 4 out, slight advantage approaching 2 out, soon headed, outpaced by winner
A small but competitive field goes to post for this novices' chase with Copeland, L'Etang Bleu, Pittsburgh Phil and Non So all in with chances, but we will side with the Martin Pipe gelding Copeland. The selection is making his seasonal reappearance but he should be too good for his rivals here as he is taking a significant drop in class. He ran well in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March, and providing he is fit, he should take all the beating. Pittsburgh Phil unseated his rider at Market Rasen last time out but had previously shown a fair level of form in Ireland, so could be interesting after switching to the Jonjo O'Neill yard. Non So hails from the in-form Nicky Henderson yard and he looked a decent prospect last season, but he may just need the run on his seasonal reappearance in this company. Mister Putt was well beaten behind Downpour at Ascot last month so will have to show significant improvement to trouble our selection, while L'Etang Bleu usually finds at least one too good. Sossus Vei looks out of his depth, so we are happy to side with Copeland.
