tracked leaders, led 5 out, blundered last, soon headed, rallied to lead again flat, driven out
soon towards rear, lost place 5th, blundered next, tailed off
held up, chased winner approaching 3 out, led after last, headed flat, one pace
chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, went poor 3rd approaching last, no impression
This beginners' chase looks quite trappy and the vote is given to Himalayan Trail over Supreme's Legacy and Arctic Ghost. The selection won over hurdles on heavy ground at Wetherby last time but he looks the type that will do even better better over fences and he is taken to make a winning chasing debut. Supreme's Legacy does have the benefit of a couple of runs over fences but he will need to improve on what he has shown so far to get his head in front today. Artic Ghost is another that looks like he will be best over fences and he is certainly interesting on his chasing debut as he has shown he posseses ability over hurdles and also in bumpers. Nine De Sivola is a course and distance winner but he has been disapppointing in his last two starts and we are happy to return to Himalayan Trail who looks the one they all have to beat.
Arctic Ghost 9-2 (10-12) Chased winner until outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 17, 20l behind Ellerslie George (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Himalayan Trail 10-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, led after 3 out, hard pressed from next, ridden and kept on gamely flat, won at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) hvy in May beating Hold The Bid (11-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
Maringo (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd soon lost place, 7th of 12, well behind Shrewd Investor (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nine De Sivola (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Behind, pushed along after 9th, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind The Reverend (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Silent Bay 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Billy Bush (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Supreme's Legacy (IRE) 13-8 (11-6) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.