tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and under pressure approaching last, just held on
held up in rear and keen, headway 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, weakened after next
close up, weakened after 3 out
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, upside last, every chance flat, just held
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, blundered 11th, not recovered and pulled up before 12th
held up, fell 3rd
KING TROY gets the nod in this novices' chase over Bold Policy and To Arms. Alan King has been having a quiet spell but despite that this 7-year-old won well last time out when he beat Kikos at Market Rasen. He jumped much more fluently that day and with he ground to suit this afternoon he can make it back-to-back successes. Bold Policy was pulled-up last time out after making a series of mistakes and although it is too early to write him off over fences, he will need to brush-up on his jumping if he is to get competitive. To Arms was making his debut for trainer Tim Vaughan when he chased home Sashenka at Ascot last month. That was over timber but he switches to birch today and if he can translate his hurdling form over the bigger obstacles he would have a big chance. Silver Sister won a selling hurdle at Fontwell last time and her overall chase form leaves a little to be desired. We are therefore happy to stick with King Troy as the one to beat.
King Troy (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Soon chasing leader, led last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Apr beating Kikos (11-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Bold Policy (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Mistakes, always in rear, lost touch 6th, mistake and rider lost iron next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Donaldson (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chase (4) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Doubly Sharp (USA) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 15, 25l behind Ruby Crown (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Premier Bleu (FR) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, hampered 2nd, losing touch from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 2f out, in a race won by Irish Guard (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
To Arms 7-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, good headway to track leading pair after 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, driven and kept on well flat, until caught final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Sashenka (10-1) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Chief Lady Olwyn 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off after 8th, 8th of 9, well behind Ogee (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Silver Sister 17-2 (10-6) Held up, smooth headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Nawamees (11-2) by 9l, 15 ran.
