led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened
held up, headway to join leader after 9th, misake 13th, hard ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, driven out
jumped left throughout, chased leading pair until after 9th, struggling from 11th
with leader until 10th, soon ridden, not a danger from 13th
held up, headway into 3rd 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, chance when not fluent 4 out, switched left approaching last, kept on, no extra near finish
An interesting Novices' Chase at the initial declaration stage, however with several defections it leaves the path open for Petit Lord to complete the hattrick; Kilrogan can chase him home. Paul Nicholls' gelding got his act together over hurdles towards the end of last season and has been very professional in winning his first two chase starts in October. He is effective on any ground and proven over the trip and whilst he is yet to win going right-handed (has jumped marginally left in the past), his class should see him through. Kilrogan would get plenty of weight from the selection if this were a handicap and so he looks up against it. Whilst he has shown plenty of ability over fences, those runs were at a shorter trip and he may have to play second fiddle this afternoon. Self Defense ran as if he would appreciate a step up in trip when well-held on his chasing debut at Kempton. He was easily the best of these over hurdles but the feeling is that the three miles around here will prove his undoing. At a price Flashing Wild may belie his likely big odds as he is at least unexposed after just three racecourse proper starts, however Petit Lord can win this as he climbs up the chasing ladder.
Kilrogan (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Held up in 3rd, went 2nd after 4 out until ridden after 2 out, hung left before every chance last, edged left and no extra flat, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Burntoakboy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Oct.
Petit Lord (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Held up, headway 5 out, ridden to lead 2 out, jumped left last, kept on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct beating Nelson (10-8) by 5l, 9 ran.
Flashing Wild (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, last of 3, well behind Templer (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd.
Outside Investor (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place 12th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Boytjie (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Self Defense 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 7th, outpaced before 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-4) at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
