led, mistake 6th and next, headed 13th, weakened and mistake next
in touch, hit 8th, tracked leader 3 out,every chance 2 out, weakened soon after, left 2nd and blundered last, no chance with winner, when lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, challenged on inside 2 out, soon led, left clear last, stayed on strongly flat
held up in rear, hit 3rd, mistakes 8th and 10th, stayed on from 3 out, kept on flat, went 2nd near finish
held up, mistake 10th, ridden after next, soon struggling
bumped 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, ridden to challenge when hit 2 out, weakened soon after
held up, pushed along 9th, weakening when blundered 3 out and pulled up
tracked leader, led 13th, joined 2 out, soon headed, looked beaten when fell last
in rear, mistakes 8th and 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
behind when unseated rider 2nd
In the novices' handicap chase, An Accordion is selected ahead of Flying Enterprise and Character Building. An Accordion has looked a very capable and progressive novice this season, winning two of his three runs under Rules. Today is the acid test, really, but he could be up to the task. Flying Enterprise is also on the up and, much as the form of his latest win is hard to assess, he jumped well in the main there and should be okay on the going. Ofarel d'Airy put in a fair effort to finish third to Royal Shakespeare at Kempton last time and should have more to offer over today's longer trip, while Character Building also looked progressive stepping up in trip when winning at Warwick last time and he should ensure that there is no excessive dawdling in the race. Finally, Francois Doumen's runners always have to be respected and he sends over Nouveau Maire, but the handicapper has set Yes Sir a real ratings poser following his sequence of wins. Once again, then, the vote stays with An Accordion.
Yes Sir (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-7) Led, mistake and headed 9th, under pressure approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Ungaro (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
An Accordion (IRE) 4-9fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, led on bit 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft beating The Luder (11-9) by 3l, 4 ran.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 13-8 (11-6) Blundered first, tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, led after 14th, soon in command, eased flat, won at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Pole Star (11-6) by 19l, 4 ran.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Mostly tracked leader, not fluent 8th, driven approaching 3 out, still challenging for 2nd when mistake last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 13-8fav (10-7) Chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, weakened approaching 12th and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Howrwenow (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Character Building (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Raced keenly, led 4th to 7th, led 10th to 11th, led 12th, idled flat, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 2f beg chs (4) gs in Dec beating Get My Drift (10-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Nouveau Maire (FR) (10-6) Held up, headway 2 out, disputed lead last, stayed on well, won at Enghien 2m 3f ch in Dec beating Nemo De Flee (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Good Citizen (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, prominent when fell at the 9th in race won by Sharp Belline (10-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Herecomestanley 11-4fav (10-0) Held up, headway 13th, chased leader after 3 out, led next, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Iris Royal (11-10) by a nk, 8 ran.
Dalriath 4-1 (10-4) Led after 1st, rider lost iron 6th, headed after next, stayed on well flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Elgar (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft. 2. 10 raceBLACK JACK KETCHUM
