tracked leading pair, headway travelling well to lead 10th, clear after 4 out, very easily
led, reminders after 3rd, blundered 9th, reminders and headed next, lost 2nd 11th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
raced wide, chased leading trio, lost ground at 5th, renewed effort when mistake 9th, struggling 11th, well behind when mistake 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, not fluent 10th, chased winner from next, ridden after 4 out, no chance when blundered 3 out, finished tired
DOUBLE HIT has an obvious chance in this contest and is preferred to Emergency Exit and Whatever Next. The selection's most recent win came on a fast surface but she has plenty of form to her name under more testing conditions so shouldn't be inconvenienced by the weather. She escapes a penalty for her facile win on her chasing bow at Leicester and will be fancied to follow up. Emergency Exit has had a few chances over fences in Ireland but may find that this is a more feasible opening as she makes her debut for new connections and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of this winning hurdler. Whatever Next is a veteran of seventeen chase starts and has been campaigned over a variety of trips; he has yet to shine for his new yard but faces an easier task here than he has on a number of his races. Dermatologiste posted an improved performance behind a potentially useful winner at Uttoxeter but it remains to be seen what the value of that form is. In any respect, Donald McCain has a good line on it so his decision to come here with Double Hit looks interesting and she rates the one to beat.
Emergency Exit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway to moderate 5th halfway, no extra 3 out, weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Pesoto (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Whatever Next (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led to 4th, chased leaders, weakened 6 out, 6th of 12, 22l behind Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Dermatologiste 40-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Ernst Blofeld (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Double Hit 9-4 (10-12) Made all, blundered 4 out, in command from 2 out, left well clear last, won at Leicester 2m Mares Novice Chase (4yo+) (4) gf in Nov beating Princess Flame (10-12) by 19l, 5 ran.
