tracked leader, led 11th until next, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace
led, hit 9th, headed 11th, led next, hit 4 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway 12th, hit next, pressed winner from 3 out, every chance when blundererd and unseated rider last
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, led after 4 out, hard ridden and edged right approaching last, left clear, ridden out
in touch until 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 12th
A small field goes to post for this novices chase and the principals look to be Guard Duty, Pharpost and Three Eagles and the confident vote goes to Guard Duty. The gelding from the Martin Pipe yard was a good second on his debut in this sphere behind the highly regarded Murphy's Cardinal and if he can reproduce that effort he will be hard beat. Pharpost rates the main danger. He has had plenty of experience over fences but may struggle to give weight and a beating to some less exposed rivals. Three Eagles could also go well as he is a bold jumping front-runner, but may not get his own way in front today and for that reason he is opposed. Back To Bill needs to improve significantly for the switch to fences to trouble the judge while New Leader looks outclassed, so the confident vote goes to Guard Duty.
