made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on to go clear flat
held up in rear and keen, pecked 1st, effort when hit 3 out, weakened after last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
tracked winner, hit 8th, 9th and 10th, ridden and switched left approaching 2 out, went 2nd after last, no impression on winner
In this five-runner affair, St Matthew gets the call but each of the runners has a chance of sorts. Much as he was quite well beaten in a Graded event last time, the bare form of St Matthew's run there affords him respect in this race. Also, he is reasonably well handicapped on his best hurdling form, so has to be seriously considered despite his big weight. It is hard to know what Garryvoe achieved in winning a Leicester maiden chase, but he did show good qualities that day. The others have fairly comparable form which does pose us a dilemma as to what to select. That said, Bunkum is only six pounds better off for the near-dozen lengths he finished behind Lubinas, who was making his chasing debut, at Bangor last time. The best advice is possibly to watch for clues in the betting but, given the fact that he boasted a little more class than his rivals over hurdles, the vote stays with St Matthew.
