in touch, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
with leader, led 4th, ran on well flat
held up, effort approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden and no impression from 11th, no danger when slightly hampered 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
held up, mistake 6th, jumped right and mistake 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out, 7 lengths 6th and one pace when fell 3 out
prominent until mistake 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
held up, headway after 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch until 7th, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
With a distinct lack of experience on offer the suggestion here is to keep stakes relatively small, but in doing so we will side with Garde Bien, who impressed first time, with Lord Of Illusion and Gazump others who should be involved at the business end. The Ferdy Murphy-trained selection at least proved he can jump fences well enough with a facile success on his debut in this sphere at Towcester in May, and though that form is nothing to write home about, this looks likely to be his optimum trip over fences, he has a nice racing weight on his handicap debut, and he also has the benefit of Timmy Murphy's handling to add a further positive, so we will take a chance on his fitness. Top weight Lord Of Illusion has plenty more experience with five chases under his belt, two of which were wins at Wetherby and Stratford in the spring. He has won with some cut in the past so won't mind any rain, but if it does soften up then it won't make it easy under this weight and the trip is a little short if anything, so he is opposed. Of the others, Gazump is worth consideration on his chasing debut. He is sure to have been well schooled, will get the trip, and has some tidy hurdles form under his belt, though it is still a big ask to land this first time, so we will stick with Garde Bien to win it for the north.