made all, blundered 14th, 6 lengths clear and hung left after 2 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, hit 10th, ridden to hold place after 12th, kept on same pace from 3 out
tracked winner until hit 14th, weakening when hit 4 out
tracked leader until lost place 14th, still in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, stayed on from next
jumped left 1st, jumped slowly 7th, always towards rear, tailed off from 15th
held up behind leaders, close enough 16th, soon ridden, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, always held by winner
Gungadu has lots of potential, and is taken to see off the challenges of some other useful novices such as According To John, Over The Creek and Jaunty Times. This is not a bad renewal, with all of those named boasting winning form. Gungadu had already shown his worth between the flags before going chasing, scoring three times in all. He was no slouch over hurdles after joining Paul Nicholls, running Black Jack Ketchum to two lengths at Cheltenham on one occasion, but chasing was always going to be his game, and on the evidence of his two wins so far, he has lots more to offer. So to does According To John who should be forgiven his poor effort in the Feltham on Boxing Day, as the ground was not testing enough for this true stayer. Strictly on a line through Boychuk, he is held by the selection, but should go well. So should Over The Creek who was in the process of running a big race on his chase debut at Towcester recently when falling at the third last. That was his first outing since last year's Cheltenham Festival in which he was a good second to Moulin Riche in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle. Sure to have been well schooled, he is no back number. Jaunty Times is going the right way but has a bit to find on form, while Imperial Sun scraped home at Punchestown to open his account over fences, and it remains to be seen how this first trip across the Irish Sea will affect his preparation. With that in mind, we much prefer the claims of Gungadu.
Gungadu 2-5fav (11-8) Led 2nd, jumped right 8th, blundered 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Jan beating In Accord (11-0) by 25l, 5 ran.
According To John (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Never travelling and not fluent in rear, reminders 8th, struggling 4 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Ungaro (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Imperial Sun (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, mistake 7th, 6th after 5 out, 4th under pressure after 3 out, challenged last, kept on well under pressure to lead close home, won at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec beating Dusty Doolan (11-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Jaunty Times 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, slightly outpaced after last, stayed on to lead post, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Only Vintage (11-8) by a shd, 4 ran.
In Accord 9-1 (11-0) Held up, tracked winner 4th & 7th, with clear leader 12th, ridden 14th, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 5, 25l behind Gungadu (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Over The Creek 8-15fav (11-2) Held up, not much room on inside 7th, headway 8th, close 3rd, going well when mistake and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Nonantais (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft, 8 ran.
Wee Robbie 5-1 (11-2) Jumped right, led, blundered 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace, last of 4, 15l behind Pretty Star (11-2) at Newbury 3m beg chs (3) gs in Dec.
