chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, went 2nd 3 out, until weakened approaching last
led to 6th, ridden after 8th, weakening when hit 2 out
mistakes, held up, struggling from 5th, tailed off 8th
prominent, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
not jump well, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
held up, pushed along from 7th, soon weakened
prominent, outpaced 7th, rallied 9th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th to 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, effort 3 out, weakened after next
held up, headway 9th, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
Thisthatandtother blotted his copybook when falling at the second fence in the Arkle last time but there are solid reasons for believing that he can reverse Cheltenham form with the winner that day Well Chief and he is taken to do so, with the progressive Venn Ottery rated the best of the remainder. There was no doubting the quality of the performance that Well Chief put up at the Festival meeting, especially considering that it was only the second time that the son of Night Shift had been over fences in public. However, while the five-year-old has to be respected, Martin Pipe's gelding had a hard race in the Arkle and Thisthatandtother can take advantage of that. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding had hardly put a foot wrong previously over fences so his early departure at Cheltenham came as a surprise. In addition to that, his best form has always tended to be on flat tracks as five wins at Wincanton indicate and, having had no race at Cheltenham, the son of Bob Back is the logical choice. Stablemate Venn Ottery has improved greatly since joining the Nicholls team and, judged by his effort in the Arkle, should do even better here. The likes of Kalca Mone, Mister McGoldrick and Palua all have place claims but for the winner it is Thisthatandtother that gets the vote to atone for his Cheltenham defeat.
