held up in 4th, challenege 4 out, led next, clear approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led next, mistake 4 out, headed next, hard ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader to 14th, close up, mistake 4 out, stayed on to 2nd approaching 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd last
led to 15th, went 2nd again approaching 3 out util approaching 2 out, stayed on to 2nd again last, no impression on winner
always in rear, jumped slowly 14th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
Chicuelo catches our eye ahead in a race in which all five runners have a chance of some description. The Martin Pipe-trained selection has won from a two-pound higher mark and has youth on his side so should have more improvement to come. He burst on the scene when winning Market Rasen's valuable Summer Plate in 2002, for which the handicapper hit him hard. However, he is a course winner and now back on a winning mark so should put up a bold show here. Martell Grand National third Amberleigh House probably has the Becher Chase in mind, a race he won in 2001 and was second in last year, although he's entitled to go well here after having had a pipe-opener nine days ago. Peccadillo won here in April from a mark of 125 (now rated 130) and can go well also in this small field. The 2002 Great Yorkshire Chase winner Moor Lane won from a mark of 124 at Kempton in February (now rated 128) and his presence also adds intrigue to the event. The other runner is Favoured Option. He has proven consistent for connections but the handicapper may have got hold of him following two wins. A good race, one in which we will side with Chicuelo.
