led, 1 length up when fell last
not always fluent, pressed leader, lost 2nd before 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, left 2nd last
raced keenly, tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pecked 11th, not fluent next, went 2nd 4 out, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, soon driven, 1 length down when left clear last
held up in 4th, mistakes 4th and 10th, outpaced 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, left 3rd last
not fluent, hit 6th, behind from next, blundered badly last, tailed off
steadied start, pulled hard, mistakes 1st and 7th, always behind
A competitive novices' chase and we will nominate MIDNIGHT CHASE to get the better of Busker Royal and Eleazar. The selection has won here in the past and course form can be hugely significant at this track. He has won on good and heavy ground so he is pretty versatile, and if he is fit enough to do himself justice after a break then he should run a big race on his debut over birch. Busker Royal is another one returning from a break today and he did finish last season in good form over hurdles. Nicky Henderson's stable are starting to hit form and he has always shaped as though he would make a decent chaser. He is respected, along with Eleazar who opened his account over fences when last seen out in May. He did get the run of the race that day, but he has his optimum ground conditions this afternoon and that is key to his chance. No Panic does have winning form over fences but he is exposed and it will be disappointing if one of these recruits to the chasing game is not good enough to beat him. There are plenty in with chances but we will stick with Midnight Chase as the selection.
Eleazar (GER) 7-4fav (11-0) Led until after 6th, ridden and outpaced by front pair after 9th, rallied 3 out, left in lead and well clear 2 out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May beating French Saulaie (11-0) by 19l, 6 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 9th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 33l behind Ogee (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f noc chs (4) gd in Sep.
Busker Royal 4-5fav (11-3) Led, quickened pace 6th, narrow lead when sprawled on landing 2 out, not recover, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Awesome George (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Midnight Chase 100-1 (11-0) In touch, headway after 6th, ridden and every chance after 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner from last, 2nd of 23, 9l behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 80-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, pecked 2nd, soon well behind, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Toby Jug (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m noc chs (3) gf.
Galley Slave (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Pulled hard towards rear, headway before 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 17l behind Dani's Girl (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
