led, mistake 5th, headed last, no extra run in
mid-division, pushed along and headway 7th, outpaced after next
held up in rear, fell sixth
in touch, mistake 3rd and lost place, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, no further progress
soon towards rear, tailed off from halfway
in touch, pushed along 7th, outpaced next
tracked leaders, headway 7th, led last, stayed on well
towards rear, weakened halfway, soon tailed off
tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 7th, soon lost touch
Spectrometer can defy a penalty against main rival Shayadi, with Avebury and Double Blade best of the rest. Richard Guest relies on Spectrometer rather than Bernadon and has in all probability made the right choice, as the latter will relish the fast ground. He hacked up under similar conditions on what was only his second outing over fences for his current stable, having been useful on the Flat in the past for Philip Hobbs. He never really got going for Howard Johnson but can now make up for lost time and can make all to add to his tally. Shayadi was in the main disappointing on the level for Mark Johnston but quickly made his mark after joining Brian Ellison. He lines up fit from the Flat and is sure to have been well schooled for his chase debut. Avebury shaped quite well on his introduction to the bigger obstacles at Newcastle but the form has been let down, and Double Blade will have the fast ground to suit but does not have as much scope. Take Spectrometer to jump off and make all in the opener.
