tracked leader, going well when badly hampered and carried off course by sole rival after 2 out, continued, finished alone
led, rider went to take wrong course and crashed through rails and unseated rider after 2 out
tracked leaders in rear, stumbled badly and unseated rider 3rd (water)
Disappointingly just the three runners line up for this novices' chase and all three have chances but none more so than the Nicky Richards-trained NOBLE ALAN, who was easily the best of these over hurdles and has run well in both starts over fences since making a winning debut over the larger obstacles over course and distance in October; he should be too good for Picaroon and Los Nadis. Peter Monteith's gelding has disappointed in recent starts over hurdles and now makes his debut over fences, a move that may bring about improvement but he needs to improve to trouble the selection. Tim Vaughan's Picaroon won well on his first start over the larger obstacles at Leicester earlier this month but this is tougher and looks there for the taking by Noble Alan.
Noble Alan (GER) 5-6fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind I'm Delilah (10-6) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
Picaroon 4-6fav (10-9) Made all, mistake 10th, drew well clear after next, unchallenged, won at Leicester 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd beating Overstrand (11-0) by 25l, 4 ran.
Los Nadis (GER) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until approaching 3 out, hit last, weakened flat, 5th of 9, 6l behind Caravel (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
