in touch, headway to track leaders 11th, no impression on front pair from 3 out, just held on for 3rd
chased leaders, led 10th, stayed on well from last, pushed out
held up, outpaced halfway, plugged on from 2 out, just held for 3rd
in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 11th
with leaders, led 6th to 10th, outpaced from 3 out
mid-division, lost place 9th, pulled up after 12th
chased leaders and jumped right, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before last
led to 6th, weakened from 10th
in touch, mistake 5th, every chance 4 out, ridden next, kept on
always behind, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
Belon Gale, a winner of his only start in a point-to-point, is an interesting runner from the in-form Howard Johnson stable and has to be respected on his rules debut but THAT'S RHYTHM sets a decent standard and gets the vote with According To Pete rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed progressive form over hurdles last term, made an encouraging debut over fences when chasing home Oscar Bay at Haydock when last seen in May and Martin Todhunter's gelding is taken to go one better today. Tom Tate's Charlie Crab has been going the right way over hurdles and makes more appeal on his first start over the larger obstacles than Tim Easterby's Irish import Zitenka, who needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. According To Pete is the highest rated of these over hurdles but is probably rated higher than he should be and makes the switch to chasing rather late in his career but he has to be considered. That's Rhythm is probably open to further improvement, especially now being sent chasing and he gets the verdict in potentially a decent novices' chase.
Zitenka (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, ridden from next, kept on from last, all out close home, won at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gf in May beating Moscow Breeze (11-5) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
According To Pete 7-2jt-fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace after 2 out, 5th of 13, 12l behind Jug Of Punch (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.
Belon Gale (IRE) (12-0) won at Tallow 3m ire ptp gs in Feb beating Ballycastle King (12-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Charlie Crab 9-4fav (11-11) Mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, ridden and led approaching next, headed briefly after 2 out, driven and kept on well under pressure flat, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul beating Ben Britten (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Charming Knight (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged 11th, kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Always Right (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (4) gf in May.
Cloisters Hill 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind Runthatpastmeagain (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Omix D'or (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, left 3rd, bend after 7th, outpaced next, ridden and kept on from 2 out, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 23l behind Mister Gloss (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sept.
Super Boston 7-1 (9-9) Behind, mistakes 8th and 12th, never near leaders, tailed off, 3rd of 9, well behind Desert Tommy (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
That's Rhythm (FR) 11-4fav (11-0) Led, ridden 3 out, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Oscar Bay (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chs (2) gd in May.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Raced wide, soon led, headed before 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 21l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
