held up in mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, led 4 out, soon ridden, hit 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, driven out
mid-division, ridden 10th, soon weakened
led to 4th, prominent until ridden 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, ridden and challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, rallied last, no extra flat
prominent, led after 4th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
Buena Vista, Tidal Fury and Tora Bora look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the confident vote is given to Buena Vista. The selection was the best of these over hurdles has reportedly schooled well over fences at home and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Tidal Fury rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Akilak, he gets all the weight for age allowences and should be noted in the market. Tora Bora is another that could go well as he also won last time when beating Malijmar but this looks tougher and his overall profile leaves him with a little to find. Of the remainder Dream Falcon is becomming hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to Buena Vista who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Borora 7-2 (11-6) Held up, jumped right 7th, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, led and clear 2 out, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf in Nov beating Flying Enterprise (11-6) by 4l, 6 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Prominent, hit 6th, soon driven along and lost place, behind from next, 6th of 11, 48l behind Natal (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Dream Falcon 20-1 (10-5) Led 3rd until 7th, pressed winner, every chance when pecked 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Dream Alliance (10-11) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Mister Tibus (FR) 16-1 (10-13) In touch until weakened 5f out, last of 13, well behind Pairtree (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in May '05.
Tora Bora (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Always prominent, led 11th, ridden after 3 out, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Maljimar (10-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Close up, led 4 out, ran on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Akilak (11-5) by 9l, 10 ran.