held up, ridden 4 out, one pace from next, lost 3rd close home
held up towards rear, reminders 4th, hit 6th, pushed along next, weakened from 13th, in 5th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, led after 5th, headed 11th, weakened 14th, pulled before 2 out, tailed off
led, headed after 5th, led again 11th, clear from 3 out, ran on well
held up in touch, outpaced approaching 4 out, kept on from 3 out, went 3rd near finish
chased leader, reminders approaching 11th, chased clear winner approaching 3 out, no impression
WEST END ROCKER looks nicely treated in this novice chase and sets the standard ahead of Shining Gale and Radetsky March. The selection carries no penalties and has shown a strong level of form in his two chase runs to date. He has not been seen since finishing a fair third to Ballyfitz at Cheltenham back in November so comes into this contest fresher than most. On the ratings he has every chance of winning this so he is difficult to oppose. Shining Gale has done little wrong this season winning two of his three starts over fences. The second of those victories came in a competitive affair at Cheltenham proving himself to be useful. A fall at Kempton thereafter looked unfortunate but life will now be difficult for him with the penalties to carry so he has to be treated with some caution. Radetsky March put a disappointing reappearance behind him to score at Fontwell last time out. He was a big priced winner that day and will have to improve once again to figure here. So for the winner we return to West End Rocker.
Shining Gale (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 4th to 8th, chased leader until blundered and fell at the 12th in race won by Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Itsa Legend 4-1 (11-4) Close up, ridden along from 10th, hampered 12th, left 3rd after 4 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Or Jaune (10-12) at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Radetsky March (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pecked 1st, led 7th until 12th, pressed leader, ridden after 4 out, blundered last, rallied gamely, led near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating No Panic (11-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Best Actor (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led, headed 5th, remained handy, ridden 3 out, driven and weakened from next, 8th of 15, 31l behind Fair Along (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Valley Ride (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, never on terms, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Kia Kaha (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
West End Rocker (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders, reminder after 9th, close 3rd when stumbled badly 3 out, soon ridden, held from next, challenged for 2nd run in but no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Ballyfitz (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
