prominent, not fluent 2nd, headway to chase leader approaching 4 out, led and pecked 3 out, driven out from last
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, lost place 8th, mistake 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up last, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
Nazimabad can defy a seven-pound penalty at the expense of Wizard of Edge and Before The Mast. The booking of Tony McCoy for Nazimabad catches the eye as the Evan Williams-trained gelding bids to put one over on the handicapper. The son of Unfuwain made all to score at Cheltenham in October but failed to overcome a 13lb rise at Taunton next time. Given a break and dropped two-pound since, he returned to action with a most gutsy display at Hereford nine days ago, holding on from Misty Dancer in a driving finish, the drop back in distance to the minimum obviously suiting him. So, despite having to shoulder 12st 4lb here, he is taken to get home in front with the champion's strength in the saddle to help. Wizard of Edge has improved for the fitting of blinkers, and the form of his Taunton victory has worked out well, but he would be better fancied over slightly further. Before The Mast has been in action over hurdles and he too would benefit from a longer trip than today's, while the rest make little or no appeal, and for the winner we return to Nazimabad.
Wizard of Edge 2-1fav (11-0) Held up, headway when hit 8th, weakened after next, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Cousin Nicky (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy.
Before The Mast (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Held up, headway 5th, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Theatre Tinka (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Terrible Tenant 11-2 (11-0) Led 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed when stumbled badly and unseated rider at the last in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Munadil 11-2 (10-8) Behind, headway 7th, slightly hampered 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 21l behind Glen Thyne (10-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Kinkeel (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Led to approaching 5 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Better Moment (11-4) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs.
Nazimabad (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4 out, chased leader after, led flat, held on, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Misty Dancer (11-9) by a shd, 8 ran.
