with leader, led 5th, slipped on landing and headed 8th, led again 10th, ridden and headed 16th, 4th and beaten when hampered 4 out, stayed on to take remote 2nd last, no chance with
prominent, mistakes 2nd and 6th, soon lost place, blundered 11th, hit 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
in touch, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 11th, chased winner after 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
prominent, close 3rd when fell 4 out
mistake 2nd, always towards rear
held up, some headway from 4 out, never dangerous
led to 5th, chased leaders until blundered badly 14th, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 9th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
always prominent, led after 8th, not fluent next, headed 10th, led again 16th, clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, eased considerably near finish
A competitive start to the day's proceedings at Cheltenham with several of the 14 runners holding claims in this handicap chase for novices including the hat trick seeking pair of Russian Gigolo and Madge Carroll but the vote goes to Howdydoody. The selection represents the stable of Paul Nicholls and looks less exposed than some of his rivals after just one start over fences. The seven-year-old lost no caste in defeat on his chasing bow behind the useful Fork Lightning at Hereford earlier this month and appears well treated for his debut in a handicap. Top weight Russian Gigolo has gone up another 10lbs for his most recent success at Bangor and faces a stiff task giving weight away all round. Madge Carroll looks better over the larger obstacles than over timber but the handicapper has taken no chances in allotting her a handicap mark of 116, while the Venetia Williams-trained Ballyconnell is difficult to evaluate after a lay off and having his first start since leaving Dermot Weld. Another ex-Irish horse Message Recu made a winning start for new connections at Leicester last month but this is tougher and a bigger threat may come from Tom George's Bee An Bee, who ran well in defeat behind the useful d'Argent at Warwick last time. Jongleur Collonges, from the in-form Robert Alner stable, and Martin Pipe's pair of Time To Reflect and Magical Bailiwick are others to consider but we are happy to side with the chosen runner from three entries made by Paul Nicholls, Howdydoody.
