held up and keen, hit 5th, effort after 7th, weakened 10th
soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th to 7th, weakened next
led to 9th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, led 9th, clear 2 out, comfortably
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and keen, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent to 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
in touch, ridden 4 out, kept on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
This appears to be a competitive novice chase and we will take a chance on Graphic Approach, with Downpour and Robber Baron put forward as the main dangers. Charlie Egerton's seven-year-old looked a classy recruit to hurdling when easily landing a decent event at Wetherby last January. However he came to grief when an odds on favourite at Taunton a couple of weeks later and that seemed to dent his confidence. He has been given time to recover by his talented trainer and this former bumper winner who is bred for chasing, may be ready to regain the winning thread. Downpour was a decent hurdler last season and didn't do too badly on his chase debut. He will have learnt from the experience and looks the main threat to the selection. Robber Baron has had his training problems, but he obviously has ability for Henrietta Knight to persevere with him and he should be watched closely in the betting ring. However for the winner we return to Graphic Approach
