led, pressed by winner from 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, no impression before last
tracked leader to 4th, remained prominent, challenged 4 out, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, eased towards finish
held up in rear, hit 2nd, ridden after 4 out, drifted left after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression
held up, raced keenly, headway on outside 9th, went 3rd after 3 out, beaten when hit 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged 11th, every chance 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 11th, jumped left and weakened 4 out
held up in 5th, dropped to last before 11th, weakened 4 out
DAVE'S DREAM was disappointing when upped to this trip last time but he's worth another chance, with Tazbar, You're The Top and Bedlam Boy helping to make this a race to savour. Our selection looks the pick of Nicky Henderson's two runners and this highly regarded sort impressed on his chasing debut. That effort saw the horse go off favourite to follow up at Newbury where he never threatened and was beaten out of sight, but as conditions were bottomless that day he's worth another chance to fulfil his obvious potential. Tazbar was once considered a live world hurdle challenger before becoming disappointing, but the switch to bigger obstacles has sparked a revival and he's impressed many with his jumping. It has to be said though that his two wins have come in weak races and he was readily brushed aside by one of Henderson's last time, so whilst that performance is still a solid one our selection's yard should know where they stand and are clearly happy to take on Tazbar once more. They do so with two, the second of which being You're The Top who won well on his chasing debut last time. The form of the race might not be all that strong but he was a cosy winner and he was not far behind Dave's Dream over hurdles, so this will tell us more about him. Bedlam Boy arrives here as arguably the best novice chaser in the north, but this step up in trip coupled with stronger company and the penalty he saddles makes life very hard and, whilst his jumping has so far been superb, that alone may not be good enough and he's opposed. Emperor Concerto is a grand chasing sort who should still improve but this is tougher than the last couple of races he's contested, The Panama Kid hasn't managed a win in three starts over fences and it's unlikely to come here whilst Prideus looks set to be outclassed. Four exciting novice chasers go head to head in this warm heat, with Dave's Dream given another chance to show he can mix it with the best of them.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Led from 1st, clear 2 out, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Primrose Time (9-13) by 6l, 5 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Chased leaders, raced wide, led after 2 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov stks (3) sft in Jan beating Midnight Chase (10-12) by 14l, 4 ran.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) In touch, slow jump 6th, pushed along 4 out, went poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 44l behind Take The Breeze (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
You're The Top (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, led next, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating I Have Dreamed (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Emperor Concerto 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 5 out, led next, headed 2 out, rallied but no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Massasoit (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Prideus (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 43l behind Little Bob (10-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in May.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, kept on to take 2nd near line, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
