soon led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on, always held by winner
held up in touch, took closer order 4th, close up and ridden approaching 4 out, weakened
held up in touch, ridden and one pace from 4 out
lost touch from 5th, tailed off
held up, took closer order 6th, joined leader and pecked 2 out, soon led, hung left and idled run-in, ridden out
tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, 3rd and held when pecked 3 out
pulled hard, tracked leaders until saddle slipped and pulled up after 3rd
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, blundered badly 4th, soon behind, not recover
Yes Sir was just about the pick of these over hurdles but disappointed on his most recent start and lack of chasing experience is of concern so preference is for Chilling Place, who gets the vote ahead of Racing Demon and Nyrche. The last mentioned looked potentially useful at times last term including when making a winning chase debut here in April but lack of a recent outing is a worry and he may be best watched today. Shuhood also lacks a run under his belt this term and, unless the market speaks in his favour, Paul Webber's gelding looks one to avoid. Green Tango would need to improve on his hurdling form and of more interest is Henrietta Knight's Racing Demon, who showed progressive form over hurdles last term and could be of interest if fit enough for his chasing debut. Chilling Place showed a decent level of form over hurdles and did little wrong when making a winning debut over fences here last month. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding is taken to defy his penalty and make it two out of two over the larger obstacles.
Chilling Place (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Made all, dived at 7th, ridden when challenged approaching last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (D) gs in Oct beating Cornish Sett (11-6) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 4-9fav (10-11) Jumped well, made all, clear throughout, impressive, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (E) hvy in Apr beating Simoun (11-0) by 22l, 3 ran.
Green Tango 16-1 (10-10) Held up, effort after 6th, soon weakened, 17th of 18, well behind Definate Spectacle (10-1) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Honor And Glory 14-1 (11-7) Behind from 8th, 5th of 9, well behind Darkness (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
Racing Demon (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 5th, edged left after 3 out, led after next, ridden and hung right approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind No Refuge (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Shuhood (USA) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 17, 36l behind Asian Maze (10-11) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Apr.
Wizard of Edge 10-3 (11-9) Held up rear, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Desert Air (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Oct '04.
Yes Sir (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led until headed approaching 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 27l behind Lacdoudal (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) sft in Oct.
