chased leaders on inside, went 3rd and one pace before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 12th, weakened soon after
held up in rear, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before the last
raced wide and tended to jump left, led until 6th, chased leader, in front again 9th until next, chased winner until 3 out, weakened before next
held up in last pair, good headway on inside 12th, 3rd travelling well 4 out, 2nd 3 out, stayed on same pace no chance with winner
raced wide, held up in last trio, headway on outside chasing leaders 10th, weakened next
pressed leader, led 6th until mistake and narrowly headed 9th, in front again 10th, clear when hit 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, kept on well
held up, closer at 5th, weakened before 11th, tailed off and pulled up before last
Most of these have something to prove in this beginners’ chase including Caribean Boy, who was useful over hurdles in France but hasn’t raced since April 2018. Cotswold Way has been readily brushed aside the last twice at Ludlow but would have beaten Garrettstown last time had that one not been brought down. The Big Bite got taken off his feet at Kempton but this is a more suitable test, though he’s not lived up to early expectations. Stay Humble won a bumper and hurdle for Willie Mullins in Ireland and Pauline Robson should find him a race over fences while Turning Gold is another interesting chase debutant. We might take a chance on SENIOR CITIZEN as he goes well fresh and placed between the flags at the start of his career. He was quite highly tried over hurdles last season after winning at Chepstow.
Caribean Boy (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Lou Buck's (11-2) at Auteuil 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Apr.
Cotswold Way (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Led until 9th, soon led again, headed 10th, left 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Espoir De Teillee (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Garrettstown (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 11th, blundered next, beaten when brought down 4 out, at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Nestor Park (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Led until 3rd, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Senior Citizen 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 6th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Aye Right (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Stay Humble (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd from halfway, pushed along in 4th from 2 out, soon no impression and weakened, last of 6, 10 1/4l behind Take A Turn (11-5) at Sligo 2m 4f gd in Apr.
The Big Bite (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Chased winner until 8th, chased leading pair, well held when weakened into 4th before 3 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Master Tommytucker (11-2) at Kempton 2m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Turning Gold 13-2 (11-9) Led 1st, mistake 4th and 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Newtown Boy (11-4) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
