pulled up, led, hit 4th, not fluent and headed 12th, weakened after 15th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway 13th, challenging when hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
chased leaders, hit 7th, led 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
pulled up, blundered 1st, in touch, ridden after 12th, hit next, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
held up, hit 14th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd last, not reached winner
took keen hold, soon in touch, ridden after 15th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 14th, ridden after next, weakened aproaching 4 out
The ultra-game Channahrlie is given a slender vote of confidence over Dead-Eyed Dick and Punchy, who are both very capable of making this a real test at this level. The last mentioned does need to brush up on his jumping though, as his tendency to take a few liberties at his fences has cost him dearly in the past. Like Even More, he has plenty of weight for what he has actually achieved and some further assistance from the handicapper could bring about the desired effect after this. Dead-Eyed Dick proved he has the stamina for this sort of trip at Newton Abbot and will be a danger to them all. However, these fences do take some clearing and this does represent a stiffer test of his abilities today. The fact that he has won here in the past is in his favour and a bold bid seems assured. However, Channahrlie handled the track very well when he was last seen out and, as an individual that does not take much readying to do himself justice, we take Robin Dickin's charge to battle his way to the front for us once more this afternoon.
