led, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, mistake 10th, pushed along and headway 4 out, effort when not fluent next, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, 3rd and beaten when fell last
not fluent, soon behind, blundered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, jumped right throughout, led approaching 5th, headed 9th, 4th and weakening when fell 3 out
midfield, outpaced halfway, left remote 4th last
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and effort, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no chance
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, soon lost place, pushed along 9th, blundered badly next, no danger after
towards rear, outpaced halfway
close up, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, led again 9th, comfortably
Silk Trader is coming good at the right time and is selected over Edmo Heights, Argento and Noisetine in the novices' chase. John Mackie's nine-year-old posted a decent second to Giacomo over the course and distance a fortnight ago, jumping well in the main. Prior to that, he had to be remounted to beat his sole opponent at Doncaster, never looking at ease over the Town Moor fences. His trainer intends to keep him to the easier tracks for the time being, and is hopeful that a few confidence-boosting wins will get him ready for some slightly stiffer tasks in future. Edmo Heights scored at Wetherby on just his second outing over fences, a result that pleased connections, as he was done no favours by a loose horse two out. He has the scope to progress. Argento had things sewn up when falling at the last at Newcastle in December, but was successful on this course earlier. As long as he does not take liberties, George Moore's charge is another to add to the equation. Noisetine is only six-years-old and has time on her side, but is another that needs to brush up her jumping before being considered, while Konker is best watched on his chase debut. Silk Trader is the pick, with plenty in his favour.