held up in 4th, pecked 4th, soon dropped to last and ridden, some progess when hit 3 out, soon outpaced, left modest 3rd last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led after 1st until 3rd, tracked leader, weakened 4 out
took keen hold, led until after 1st, led 3rd, jumped left 8th and 4 out, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, 4 lenghts down when left well clear last
held up in rear, struggling 8th
took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenged for 2nd approaching 6th, outpaced by leading pair before 3 out, left modest 2nd last, lost that position flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway and reminder after 7th, went 2nd before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, 4 lenghts ahead when fell last
VIABLE is though good enough to land this novice chase with both Jim Tango and Cockatoo worthy of mention. The selection broke his maiden tag over fences at this venue last month winning very well in the process. He comes into the race in better form than the majority of his rivals and with a clear round he will be difficult to beat. Jim Tango comes form a yard hot in form at present but since breaking his maiden tag at Catterick in September he has not shown his true colours. He finished last of eight last time out and needs to show improvement to figure here. Cockatoo was rated as high as 121 over hurdles but has yet to transfer that form over the larger obstacles as yet so is worth treating with caution for the time being. Viable is the form horse in the race and gets the vote.
Cockatoo (USA) 11-1 (10-12) Not fluent, held up, headway 2nd, lost place 5th, mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Fighting Chance (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Devils River (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Led until 5th, led 4 out until ridden and edged left before 2 out, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Tooka (11-2) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Jim Tango (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 6th, mistake 7th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened next, last of 8, 39l behind Drever Route (11-9) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Oxford de Lagarde (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Always in rear, weakened 8th, 6th of 7, 48l behind Overlaw (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Safe Investment (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Close up, ridden and lost place 4th, 6th of 8, well behind Bromhead (11-3) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Viable 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 7th and rider lost irons, led 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating You And I (10-12) by 9l, 3 ran.
