held up early, in lead when came back into view 13th, clear 4 out, stayed on (No time taken due to poor visibility)
held up behind leaders, driven after 9th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 12th
prominent early, tailed off when came back into view 13th
chased leaders, went 2nd after 13th, soon ridden, mistake, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
General Grey showed much improved form over fences when good value for his success over Dead Mans Dante at Fontwell last month and, along with recent course and distance novice handicap chase winner Wild Oats, has to be respected but Quick would be different class to these over hurdles and is taken to open his account over fences. The selection was rated 142 at his best over hurdles and, while pulled up on his only previous start over fences that came in a much better race than this at a time when the yard's horses were out of form. That is not the case now and David Pipe's gelding has been found a suitable opportunity to open his account over the larger obstacles. Lord Jay Jay is lightly raced and may be open to more improvement, while Optimistic Alfie has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts over hurdles. Recent winners General Grey and Wild Oats have to be respected but Quick should be too classy for them all and he gets the vote.
General Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon in command, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Dead Mans Dante (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wild Oats 4-1jt-fav (10-10) In touch, headway 8th, led 2 out, idled run-in, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar beating Elegant Eskimo (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led, blundered 11th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 29l behind Midnight Gold (11-9) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Optimistic Alfie 33-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened 5th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Penny Park (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Quick 14-1 (10-1) Led, clear 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 15l behind Westender (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Tom Tobacco 100-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Ballyshan (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
