tracked leaders, led 13th to next, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
with leader, led and blundered 6th, mistake and headed 13th, led again next, ridden approaching 3 out, clear next, eased flat
led to 6th, with winner, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 12th
tracked leaders, lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
held up, mistake 1st, headway 8th, ridden approaching 13th, weakened next
A small field goes to post for this novices chase and the principals look to be Wild Spice, The Merry Mason and West Pal-we will take a chance on the last named. The gelding is a course and distance winner and his latest second behind Ms Trude will make him hard to beat despite top weight. Wild Spice rates the main danger but he was a lucky winner last time out when the clear leader Three Eagles fell at the last and he will find this harder under his penalty. The Merry Mason would also be worthy of respect on his best form but he was a well beaten favourite behind Tierkely last time out and gave the impression he would be seen to better effect with more cut in the ground so for that reason he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder Benova Boy was behind West Pal last time and there is no reason why he should reverse placings here so we are happy to stick with the latter.
