made virtually all, went clear 5 out, steadied last, ridden out
in touch, lost place 14th, rallied under pressure approaching 18th, weakened next
soon chasing winner, lost place 8th, went 2nd after 11th, lost place and ridden 18th, rallying when mistake 3 out, ran on flat
behind, headway 12th, weakened 17th, tailed off when mistake 19th
held up, went 2nd at 8th, hit 4 out, soon beaten, lost 2nd at last
This may not be as competitive as one would expect for the prize-money on offer but it will still prove a stiff test of stamina and ability. Considering that See More Business won the 1997 & 1998 renewals of this race, his failure to complete in both his visits to Chepstow last season must have left his connections a touch frustrated. Having said that the gelding owes nobody anything and he will raise a cheer whatever the outcome today. His reappearance effort at Down Royal reads well enough to give him a saver option and the 1999 Gold Cup winner must be considered the likeliest victor, even though he is giving lumps of weight away again. Go Ballistic is another veteran who merits plenty of respect and he will not be found wanting for effort despite having plenty to prove against his old adversary. However, he is on a long losing run and with the best will in the world it is hard to envisage that he can get the better of his Paul Nicholls-trained rival in his first outing for 224 days. The jumping errors that tarnished Bindaree's early record over fences have returned with a vengeance this season and although he is capable of giving them all plenty to think about, he needs to have a confidence boosting round before a serious recommendation can be made for him. Jimmy Tennis has arguably the most to prove after failing to complete since winning on his debut for Venetia Williams at Ascot in February. The French-bred gelding does have ability though and may be one to watch out for in a lesser grade in the near future. Rugged River has a stamina-packed pedigree and should relish this trip if his reappearance run has not taken too much out of him. He did have a long lay off though and has to be a prime candidate for the bounce. This leaves Supreme Glory as the main danger to See More Business, who although lightly raced since winning the Welsh national last year, is at his best when fresh and should have no problems with the ground. The nine-year-old is a sure-footed jumper and is taken as TEAMtalk's main selection purely on the grounds of value.
