led to 2nd, prominent when blundered and unseated rider 5th
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed narrowly after 2 out, led again just after last, all out
held up and behind, mistake 3rd, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, jumped left last, soon edged left to far rail, ran on well, just failed
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up and took keen hold, still in rear when not fluent 3 out, never on terms
prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, well behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up and keen, headway 8th, challenged from 3 out, led after 2 out, headed just after last, edged right and no extra final 150 yards
held up in rear, some headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 7th
A cracking contest that would not be out of place at the Festival next March and one that can be taken by Well Chief, with Cenkos, Armaturk and Mister McGoldrick very interesting contenders. Well Chief took the notable scalps of Kicking King and Thisthatandtother in winning both the Arkle and the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chases last season and is being talked about by Martin Pipe as a serious challenger for this season's Queen Mother Champion Chase. His form at novices level withstands the closest scrutiny, he is said to be very well, and if he is to be a serious contender for the two mile crown then he should be able to beat even a seasoned pro like Cenkos in receipt of 9lb, so we take him to score. Cenkos is now 10 years old but no spent force. In fact this is arguably his best grade, and he has proven that he can lump big weights to victory. He loves this sort of ground and goes well fresh, so with his yard in cracking form we expect him to go close. Armaturk possesses plenty of ability and is probably just below top class at this trip. He beat one of today's opponents, Bleu Superbe, comfortably at Lingfield last time and can go well, though the suspicion is that he is best with a bit of cut in the ground. Quite a number are out of the handicap, but one who has been raised 9lb for an impressive recent Wetherby win is Mister McGoldrick. Sue Smith thinks plenty of the gelding, and there is every chance he will be involved here, but the manner of his Wetherby win suggested that a bit further than this is his optimum and he may just be tapped for toe from the top of the hill. But Well Chief looks right out of the top drawer and we take him to score.
