chased leaders, improved to join leaders 3 out, shaken up to lead approaching next, ridden out (open ditch on back straight omitted)
led, jumped slowly 3rd and 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leader until 3 out, soon ridden, driven, rallied to take 2nd flat
held up, lost touch from 4 out
keen, held up, ridden, lost touch from 4 out, pulled up last
held up in rear, ridden, lost touch 4 out
Chief Yeoman has been in good form of late and he has to be respected but may ideally prefer more testing ground and a better bet looks to be Garde Champetre with Echo Point looking the pick of the rest. The selection has been given a break since his defeat at Newcastle in November but lack of a recent run need not be of any concern and, on this ground, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has conditions which suit him more than his main opponents. Richard Lee's Borora should be better suited by today's conditions underfoot than when disappointing at Exeter last time and rates a bigger threat than the maiden Padre. Echo Point has claims on the pick of his form and cannot be discounted but he would probably prefer a softer surface and, on this ground, Garde Champetre looks the one to be on.
Borora 40-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on flat, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Buena Vista (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Chief Yeoman 2-11fav (11-3) Tracked leader until led 4th, clear from 7th, only 5 lengths ahead but going easily 3 out, soon drew clear again, unchallenged, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) sft beating Monkstown Road (10-10) by 15l, 4 ran.
Echo Point (IRE) 6-4 (11-8) Led, headed when mistake and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Tidal Fury (11-4) at Southwell 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Garde Champetre (FR) 5-6fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, hit 10th, ridden and kept on same pace from 4 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Aces Four (11-6) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, behind from 3rd, hampered by loose horse 8th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Jun.
Padre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway 11th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Tigers Lair (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd in Jun '05.
Tudor Oak (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Always behind, 3rd of 4, 44l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
