with leaders, reminders and lost face approaching 12th, out-paced approaching 3 out, chased leading pair approaching next, no impression
made most, hit 10th, ridden and under pressure approaching last, stayed on well towards finish
prominent, weakened 4 out
held up, blundered 5th, chased winner from 8th, challenged 3 out, every chance after last, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, behind from 8th, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pullled up before last
This is a tricky little race in which Go For One gets the nod ahead of Flintoff and Olival. The selection won impressively on his chase debut at Catterick, and whilst that wasn't the strongest of contests, the manner of that victory puts him firmly in the picture here. His jumping was good that day and that could be essential in this novices chase. A win would also give a timely boost to his fairly out-of-sorts stable. Flintoff didn't build on his good second on his chasing debut when beaten a long way behind Natal last time out. However, Natal is obviously a lot better than this class so Flintoff could still play a part today. Although he didn't appear to stay last time out on desperate ground, he won over further as a hurdler so all hope is not lost and he could play a big part today. Olival represents a powerful stable, and whilst evidently not a stable star, he is unexposed but will need to step up on previous efforts to feature today. Seymar Lad makes his chasing debut today but is well held on hurdles form, whilst William Butler appears very average, and Follow The Bear fell on his chasing debut. Ultimately then, Go For One looks the one with the most potential and he gets the tentative vote.
Flintoff (USA) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, chased winner from next, weakened after 4 out, hit next, finished tired, 2nd of 7, well behind Hoh Viss (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft.
Go For One (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway half way, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs beating Stroom Bank (10-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, behind from 5th, tailed off when, 11th of 16, well behind No Guarantees (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
William Butler (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, weakened 8th, 8th of 10, 26l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Olival (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, some headway when blundered 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 26l behind Obelix De Longechaux (10-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Follow The Bear 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, in rear and held when fell 2 out in race won by Fearless Foursome (11-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 4 ran.
