tracked leaders, blundered 8th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, lost 2nd towards finish
led until fell heavily 4 out
tracked leader, hit 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
held up in rear, headway 5 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 8th, headway to chase leaders after 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
held up in touch, headway after 5 out, left in lead next, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well
Fair Question gets the confident vote in this novices chase with The Reverend and Pay Attention rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Ballyboley and despite having a penalty for that win he again has conditions to suit, and with improvement likely he is hard to oppose. The Reverend rates the main danger as he also handles underfoot conditions but his latest third behind Laertes was disappointing and he is taken on with this in mind. Pay Attention is another that could go well if taking to fences but he is hard to win with and he is taken on also. Of the remainder, Day Of Claies is from a yard in form but his overall form leaves him with plenty to find and for the winner we return to Fair Question who has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
Day Of Claies (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway halfway, led 12th, drew clear after 3 out, ridden and kept on next, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Akilak (11-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Made all, left well clear 12th, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Ballyboley (11-0) by 30l, 5 ran.
The Reverend (IRE) 1-4fav (11-6) Led 2nd, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra near finish, 3rd of 4, nk behind Laertes (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 9-4fav (12-3) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Bill Haze (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn hts chs (5) sft in Feb.
Roobihoo (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, weakened 9th, 4th of 7, 49l behind Only Vintage (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Pay Attention 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, driven 3 out, stayed on to lead next, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Presumptuous (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Major Catch (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) unseated rider in race won by Heez A Dreamer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
