keen, in touch, mistake 1st, blundered 2nd, mistake 4 out, chased winner 3 out, one pace flat
in touch, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
always prominent, chased leader from 2nd, led 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well
prominent to 2nd, soon lost place and behind
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, weakening when jumped left last
led, soon clear, headed 5 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Uncle Max can make a winning comeback at the expense of Afro Mann, Look To The Future and Rookery Lad. At the age of five, Rookery Lad has more scope than his six rivals, and as Nigel Twiston-Davies normally has them fit enough after a break, the Flat-bred gelding, a half-brother to College Chapel, is taken to make his chase debut a winning one. Time will tell whether he is well handicapped on a mark of 95, but it is not unreasonable compared to his hurdles rating. Afro Man certainly looked the part when opening his account over hurdles at Kempton two years ago, but he has not been seen since, so it will be a top effort by Charlie Mann to have him ready first time. Nevertheless he is not one to rule out as he too has bags of scope. Look To The Future has more experience than the aforementioned pair but his latest effort was in selling company, while Rookery Lad has not impressed with his jumping so far. If anywhere near fit, Uncle Max should make a winning bow over fences.
Afro Man 5-1 (10-10) Held up rear, headway 7th to chase leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov '03 beating Castlemore (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Uncle Max (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Prominent, lost place 6th, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind How Great Thou Art (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Sept '04.
Rookery Lad 11-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, switched left and effort approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Look To The Future (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 11th, stayed prominent, ridden to lead 2 out, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Sunday Habits (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) hvy.
Reflex Blue 33-1 (10-5) Always behind, 7th of 18, 13l behind The Hairy Lemon (10-13) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Senor Gigo 25-1 (10-6) Held up, behind when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Lindsay (11-2) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs, 13 ran.
Killy Beach 7-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 11, well behind Charliemoore (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-95 (G) frm in Oct.
