chased leader to 23rd, stayed chasing winner, one paced before last, kept on under pressure run in
raced wide, held up in mid-division, went 2nd 7th, blundered and fell 10th
tracked leaders, led 12th, headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace, kept on run in
close-up, mistake 22nd, effort to chase winner and every chance 2 out, challenged last, kept on but held run in
in touch, tracked leader 23rd, led approaching 2 out, driven and kept on gamely run in
held up, effort 22nd, losing place when mistake 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when fell 3 out
held up, mistake 17th, headway under pressure 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace run in
led to 12th, remained handy until blundered and lost place 20th, pulled up before 4 out
ran in snatches, ridden and dropped rear 18th, mistake 21st, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
With some two and a half circuits to cover here, stamina is clearly the key, and Hersov can continue trainer Nicky Henderson's great run of form, with Toulouse-Lautrec, Bear On Board and Fasgo also worth considering. The selection steps up considerably in trip here, having won two chases over three miles last season and a staying hurdle at Sandown last time out. However, that should be taken as a positive, as Henderson has gone on record as saying that the eight-year-old looks an ideal type for the National Hunt Chase over this course and distance at the Festival. With no real problems over the ground, he can take advantage of a fair mark and win. The admirably consistent Fasgo seems to improve the further he goes and he can continue that progression here. A winner first time out this season, he has gone well when second twice since and there is every reason to suggest that this extreme distance will be ideal for him. However, he may not quite have the scope of the selection and for that reason is opposed. Toulouse-Lautrec is another to step up markedly in trip, but trainer Tom George seems confident that he will stay after a year long absence. The bold jumping seven-year-old goes well fresh and could run into a place, though a 17lb rise does look stiff. Of the remainder, Bear On Board has risen 7lb for a long distance win at Bangor last time and from the bang-in-form Alan King yard another big run is anticipated, though the lack of cut here is a big concern. For the selection then, we are content to go with the progressive Hersov.
