made virtually all, ridden clear approaching 2 out, ran on well
tracked winner, led briefly 4th, hit 7th, mistake 8th, lost place 11th, bad mistake and pulled up soon after 12th
held up in touch, tracked winner from 4 out, quickened clear with winner approaching 2 out, ridden and held approaching last
in touch, mistake 5th, blundered badly 6th, lost place and headway 12th to track leaders, ridden to chase leaders from 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, hit 4th, in 5th when mistake 14th, 15th, 16th, ridden when mistake 2 out, no chance
held up behind, lost touch from 13th
held up tracking leaders, tracked winner from 11th, ridden and not quicken with leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up rear, closer order 10th, weakened 3 out
Calling Brave can get his new career over fences off to a flying start, with Jonjo O'Neill's pair Java Sea and Drombeag seen as his nearest rivals. Calling Brave was rated highly enough by Nicky Henderson to line up in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle, but finished down the field. Having then finished ninth in Listed company at Aintree, he was given a break and returned as fresh as a daisy to the Merseyside venue just over three weeks ago, coasting home home over Sh Boom and Cill Churnain. Certain to be slammed by the handicapper now, a future over fences awaits, and by all accounts he has jumped like a stag at home. Sh Boom's trainer Jonjo O'Neill saddles two here, with Java Sea perhaps the most interesting. He has been absent for some time but was a triple winner over hurdles in 2002, and like Calling Brave, was creeping up the handicap. His stablemate Drombeag is a bit fitter, having reappeared with a promising second to the useful Rosslea on his chase debut at Bangor 18 days ago. Having started off in bumpers, he bypassed the hurdles route to go chasing straight away, and looks just the sort to be considered for the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The Festival may also await Calling Brave, with the Sun Alliance Chase a possible target if, as expected, he passes this first test over fences.
