close up, hampered 1st, jumped slowly next and dropped rear, went prominent again 7th, hit 13th and 15th, driven to lead approaching last, kept on flat
held up, headway 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened from next
led, headed after 3rd, led again at 11th, headed 14th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, held up, went prominent 11th, led 14th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, one paced flat
in rear, tailed off from 13th
close up when hampered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, hit 9th, lost place and reminders 11th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
chased leaders, led after 3rd, hit 5th and 11th, soon headed, lost place next, behind when pulled up after 13th
It is difficult to oppose The Manse Brae, who looks to have been found a decent opportunity to add to his last time out victory at Musselburgh, in this novices' chase. Malcolm Jefferson's seven-year-old was the best of these over hurdles and looks to be at least as good over the larger obstacles as well, his only defeat coming in decent company at Cheltenham. George Moore's Iron Express, King's Bounty from the stable of Tim Easterby and Ferdy Murphy's What A Wonder all seem to be of a similar level of ability and should battle out minor placings behind the selection, who gets a confident vote.