led until 4th, prominent, blundered 10th, weakened after next, tailed off
in touch, headway 11th, soon ridden, one pace from 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 5th, reminders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace
close up, led 12th, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, caught near finish
held up, headway 11th, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, held when mistake last
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, led 7th until 12th, pressed leader, ridden after 4 out, blundered last, rallied gamely, led near finish
prominent, led and went right 4th, headed 7th, ridden approaching 11th, 6th and weakening when fell heavily 3 out
NO PANIC gets the nod to land this beginners' chase ahead of Chiaro and Or Jaune. Peter Bowen's gelding is rated clear of these over hurdles, with a BHA mark of 134 at his best, and although that does not always translate to chasing there was evidence on his Exeter debut that he will do well in this sphere. Although he has not yet won of soft ground he does handle it well enough according to his handler, he stays well, and with that experience now under his belt he can begin to settle down over fences with a win. Chiaro is another who is perhaps at his best on a sound surface, but who can handle cut in the ground as evidenced by his last two runs, when runner-up in chases. He showed last time that he acts around this figure of eight circuit, which is a plus, and he should prove a big danger. Or Jaune has conditions and trip to suit and has winning hurdles form at the track. Strictly on the book he has a fair bit to find with the aforementioned pair but after a recent pipe-opener we expect to see improvement today. With nothing else making appeal for this we'll take No Panic to score.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch, pushed along 4th, reminders 6th, soon lost place, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Galant Nuit (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Chiaro (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, reminders after 9th, ridden after 12th, led 4 out until next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Sound Accord (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs.
Forthright 33-1 (11-0) Always behind and not fluent, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pop (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft, 11 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 8th, jumped left 10th, ridden to chase winner approaching 4 out until mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft.
Or Jaune (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, slow 4th, ridden 3 out, beaten when hampered 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Tartak (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Radetsky March (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Nevada Royale (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Snow Patrol 100-1 (11-10) Led until blundered, 4th, remained handy until weakened 14th, 7th of 15, well behind Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
