Held up in touch, chased leader 9th, closed on leader before 3 out, jumped into lead 3 out, ridden before last, joined last, ran on well on run in
Held up in touch, chased leaders before 3 out, pushed along 2 out, headway to join leader before last, challenge leader on run in, narrowly denied
Chased leader, led 8th, headed 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened before last
Led, jumped right, headed 8th, midfield 9th, in rear 4 out, mistake 3 out, tailed off
EMITOM was only headed close home on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter last season. Something was clearly amiss with Warren Greatrex’ smart stayer after that and he deserves another chance to show he has a future over fences. J'ai Froid tackles the larger obstacles for the first time but he rattled up a four-timer over hurdles last season before finishing second in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree and is another really nice prospect with Doyen Breed also a potentially-smart recruit to the chasing ranks.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, joined leaders going well 3 out, led 2 out, pressed, pushed along and edged right before last, ridden out run-in, kept on but headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Sultans Pride (11-6) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Emitom (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Led until before 3rd, chased leader until 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
J'Ai Froid (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when not fluent 3 out, not fluent last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 3l behind Hometown Boy (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Metal Man (IRE) 4-5fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along chasing leaders on inside, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Hear Me Out (9-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (6) sft in Oct.
