held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, never dangerous
chased leader, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace
held up mid-division, weakened 5 out
held up mid-division, hit 8th, blundered 4th, never dangerous, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, blundered 4th, went 2nd 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up behind, hit 6th, pushed along next, never dangerous
led, jumped right, headed 4 out, weakened after next
held up, headway when pecked 9th, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching next
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, chased winner 2 out, one pace
Basic Fact, Sarin and Just For Men look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the narrow vote is given to Sarin. The selection won well when beating Beat The Boys last time out, remains on a fair mark despite his penalty and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Basic Fact rates the main danger on his latest second behind Comber he remains on a fair mark and will not be far away. Just For Men is another that could go well as he has won his last two races in good style. However this looks more competitive and the drying ground may be against him. Nation State looks to have plenty of weight for what he has actually achieved. Of the remainder Dreux would have definite place claims if his jumping holds up but that is a big if and for the winner we are happy to return to Sarin who looked progressive last time out.
Dreux (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd to 7 out, soon 2nd, 3rd again and no impression under pressure into straight, soon no extra, 4th of 15, well behind J'y Vole (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f nov chs hvy in Jan.
Daldini 9-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, effort 9th, blundered, lost place 10th, behind after, 8th of 11, 25l behind Edmo Yewkay (10-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jan.
Nation State 9-4 (11-4) Held up, headway and mistake 12th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 6, 19l behind O'maley (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Sarin 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, joined leader last, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Beat The Boys (10-11) by a shd, 6 ran.
Mister Potter 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 8th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Arturio (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Basic Fact (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 12th, ridden and hit 3 out, led last, headed line, 2nd of 11, shd behind Comber (10-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Tanners Court 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, outpaced 4 out, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Sprosser (11-4) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
The Real Deal (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always behind, jumped slowly 8th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating BallaBriggs (11-4) by 5l, 6 ran.
