not jumped well, behind until blundered and unseated rider 4th
held up, mistake 1st , ridden after 5th, never dangerous
fell, prominent until mistake and weakened 5th, well behind when fell 3 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
made all, ridden 2 out, hit last, driven out
held up in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off
not jumped well, prominent to 3rd, soon behind
in touch, chased winner 5th, ridden next, hit last, kept on
held up, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 3rd and held when hit last
mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 5th, never dangerous
behind, mistake 4th, tailed off when mistake last
There is no hurdles form to go on here but Pat Haslam does well with his juveniles and the chances are that Nocatee will know enough of what is required to get the better of Moon Catcher and Wilfred. The last mentioned was arguably the best of these on the flat and has to be respected representing the partnership of Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy. A middle distance horse on the level, he may want further though and a bigger threat may come from Moon Catcher. Martin Pipe's filly showed decent form on the flat in France and would not mind any softening of the ground. The vote though goes to Nocatee. Pat Haslam's gelding won a maiden handicap off a mark of 52 on his final start on the flat last month and is sure to have been well schooled. Similar comments apply to stablemate Middleham Rose, although her flat form suggests that she may struggle in this company. Chepstow seven-furlong handicap winner Mister Trickster would not be an obvious stayer over hurdles and of more interest may be Alan King's Devito, who comes from a stable with a good record in juvenile hurdles. However, in a race where bets should be kept to the minimum it is Nocatee who gets the vote.
