held up, not keen approaching 10th and next, headway to go 4th approaching 2 out, never on terms
not fluent 3rd, jumped right 7th and lost place briefly, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied under pressure to lead approaching last, drew clear flat
soon tracking leaders, hit 11th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
led, headed approaching 6th, lost place briefly 12th, rallied to 2nd after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, lost place approaching 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
held up and keen, headway to join leader 5th, led approaching next, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, eased when beaten
Topweight Master Tern is undoubtedly the class horse of the race but has yet to prove he is as effective over fences as he was over hurdles. Twice a winner in novice company last term, the former County Hurdle winner failed to reproduce his best in handicap company and looks opposable off his current mark. Only Optimistic Chris of the seven runners has had a recent outing and, although not disgraced when a close third to Hit Royal at Market Rasen last time, it will be a surprise if this does not go to one of those making their seasonal reappearance. Any runner that Venetia Williams sends out has to be respected but Needwood Lion looks to be one of the stable's lesser lights. Scotmail Lad has been pulled up on his last two starts and a watching brief is probably best advised for him so, with River Wye and Donnybrook making limited appeal, the TEAMtalk vote goes to Dorans Gold. Formerly with Henrietta Knight, the gelding joined Paul Nicholls last term and showed improved form in winning at Market Rasen before finding just Ceanannas Mor too good in Kempton Park's Charisma Gold Cup. A subsequent disappointing effort in the Thomas Pink at Cheltenham is probably best ignored and, having been given time to recover from that, he looks the one to be on with his stable in such good form.
