led, headed and hit 3rd, 3rd when fell 5th
close up, chased leader 11th, ridden and every chance 3 out, jumped left next, driven to lead last, all out
jumped left throughout, tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake 11th (water), ridden and headed last, driven and stayed on
held up, brought down 7th
keen, held up in touch, left 4th at 5th, ridden and weakened 11th
held up, mistake 9th, weakened next
prominent, not fluent and lost place 2nd, blundered and fell 7th
close up, mistake 2nd, chased leader 4th, hit 7th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, fell 5th
held up, hampered 4th, headway 11th, went remote 3rd 4 out, never nearer
An interesting novices' chase in which the likes of Napolitain, Rebel Rhythm and Billyvoddan all have to be respected but the vote goes to Kasthari. Howard Johnson's gelding showed progressive form over hurdles last term and comes here fit from a recent run on the flat. Provided that he has been well schooled, Kasthari has the necessary class to win this. Nicky Henderson has his string in good form at present so Go For Bust has to be respected, although he needs to improve on hurdling form to trouble the selection and of more interest may be the Paul Nicholls-trained Napolitain, who has had the benefit of a couple of runs already this term. Rebel Rhythm has yet to fully convince over the larger obstacles but is highly regarded by connections and cannot be dismissed lightly, while Billyvoddan may just need his first outing of the season and is probably best watched. There should be no fitness worries for Kasthari though and he is taken to make a winning start to his chasing career.
Splash Out Again 4-1 (11-2) Always prominent, mistake 1st, led 4th, not fluent 8th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf in Aug beating Mylo (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, kept on flat, 4th of 20, 11l behind Genghis (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Go For Bust 12-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, good headway on outside approaching 2 out, every chance last, unable to quicken flat, 4th of 16, 4l behind Comanche War Paint (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (D) gd in Apr.
Kasthari (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) With leader, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Idole First (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar, 29 ran.
Kopeck (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up, mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs.
Livret Bleu (FR) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 7th, ridden and weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Young Collier (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan '04.
Murphy's Quest 9-2 (11-0) Held up last, well outpaced from 3rd, hit 8th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, took moderate 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Dempsey (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov chs (C) gs in Mar.
Rebel Rhythm 4-6fav (11-6) Led, ridden approaching 4 out, jumped right next, headed 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Albuhera (11-6) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (E) sft in Oct.
Bonnet's Pieces 16-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3rd, led briefly 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Refinement (11-4) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Napolitain (FR) 9-4 (10-11) Held up, in touch, not fluent 3rd, headway and chased leader approaching 4 out, 2nd and held when mistake 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Son (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd.
Goblin 22-1 (10-5) Held up, some progress 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Cerium (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct.
