mistake 1st, always behind, tailed up when pulled up before last
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon tailed off
always behind, jumped right 5th, tailed up when pulled up before 10th
led, mistake 8th, soon headed, ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened
held up, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, soon ridden, poor 3rd when fell last
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden and mistake 13th, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
with leaders, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
joined leaders 4th to 10th, weakened from next
chased leaders, led after 8th, headed after next, stayed with winner until weakened after 13th, hampered and left 3rd at last
A competitive field goes to post for this novice chase, but on hurdling ability alone it looks a match between Samon and Papua, and a chance is taken on Samon. The gelding from the Martin Pipe yard is sure to have been well schooled goes on any ground and he will be hard to beat with conditions in his favour. Papua rates the main danger as at least he has experience over fences. He was a fair third behind Tamango last time out and that effort gives him definite place claims but he will need to improve again to beat Samon. Ballet K was also a fair hurdler a couple of seasons ago and if he takes to fences he could go well at a big price but he has a 432 day absence to overcome. Of the remainder Lunardi was third in a Hunter Chase last time out and is another that has place claims.
