in touch, driven along from 4th, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 6, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders until 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 8th
chased leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
with leader, hit 5th, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th
held up in touch, headway approaching 7th, led after 3 out, idled approaching last, shaken up and quickened clear flat
prominent until 5th, ridden after 6th, one pace from next
led, mistake 4th, headed 7th, soon ridden, stayed on well from last
mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner and ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division until weakened after 7th
The hat trick seeking Irishkawa Bellevue and the in-form Pardon What from Brendan Powell's stable both warrant respect in a competitive handicap but the vote goes to Global Challenge. The selection had some useful form on the flat but has taken time to come to hand over hurdles. However, the son of Sadler's Wells finally came good at Newton Abbot in a novices' event last time and looks feasibly well treated off a mark of 110 for his debut in this grade. Irishkawa Bellevue has been raised a further 8lbs for his recent success at Wincanton and is likely to find this tougher and a bigger threat may come from Pardon What, who hails from a stable that has hit form of late. Jim Boyle has had a couple of winner son the flat recently so the chances are that Cedar Master will be fit enough for his first start since September, while Waverley Road comes here fit from the level. Heather Dalton's Just Kate and Southwell winner Just Beth are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Global Challenge, who is taken to defy top weight and give the team of Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy another winner.
