tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, weakened next
led until after 1st, led 3rd until approaching 3 out, soon beaten, weakening in 3rd when fell 2 out
led after 1st until 3rd, tracked leader until led approachong 3 out, soon clear
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
Disappointingly just the four runners are set to go to post for this veterans' chase and with Mister Quasimodo and Borora hard to fancy on recent form, it looks a virtual match between MAGIC SKY and Picts Hill, with preference for the former. The selection was going well when falling at the last over hurdles at Bangor earlier this month and it is to be hoped that his jumping is better, as it normally is, back over fences today. The 10-year-old won well here in December and lost no caste in defeat behind Fistral Beach at Kempton subsequently and he looks worth supporting to resume winning ways. Colin Tizzard's Mister Quasimodo has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts, while Borora has similarly struggled but Richard Lee's runners are in better form now so he may do better today. Anthony Honeyball's Picts Hill is bound to be popular with many having won his last three starts, the latest of them being at Newbury in March, but a 9lb rise since then and the long absence is a concern and preference is for Magic Sky.
Magic Sky (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leader 3 out to between last 2, 1 length 3rd and staying on when fell heavily last, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (10-13) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl (2) gs, 7 ran.
Picts Hill 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, left 2nd 12th, led 4 out, stayed on well from next, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Very Cool (10-13) by 5l, 7 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 15-2 (11-0) Held up, pushed along and quickly weakened 3rd, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Borora 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, closed 5th, ridden after 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 11, 41l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
