in rear, weakened 5 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed, no extra flat
not fluent, keen, chased leader, close 3rd when fell 3 out
mid-division, improved 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
keen, in touch, mistake, weakened 4 out
pulled hard in rear, weakened 5 out
chased leader, ridden, every chance from 2 out, led flat, driven out
Crossbow Creek can get his chase career back on track at the expense of Nyrche, with Idole First and Aleron best of the remainder. Crossbow Creek paid his way over hurdles, his biggest success coming in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton just over 12 months ago, after which he was campaigned at the highest level. Trainer Mark Rimell always thought that he would make a better chaser though and so was not in the least surprised when the gelding opened his account at Taunton at the first time of asking. Brought down in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown next time, he fell two out on a return visit to the Esher track to contest a Grade 2 contest on Boxing Day, and has been given plenty of time to recover. Providing his jumping holds up, the eight-year-old should have the class to beat Nyrche here, as he would probably have done had he stayed upright on the first of his visits to Sandown. Idole First will do well to add to his course-and-distance victory under a penalty, while Aleron faces a tough task as well. All in all, this appears a good opportunity for Crossbow Creek to put his past mishaps to rest.
Idole First (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 8th, challenged on inside well before 2 out, driven to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs beating Nycteos (10-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders to 4th, stayed handy, under pressure before 9th, not fluent and weakened next, 5th of 7, 39l behind Racing Demon (11-10) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.
Aleron (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Prominent, left in lead 7th, clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Jan beating Martha's Kinsman (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Crossbow Creek 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 6th, 2 1/2l down and looked held when fell 2 out in race won by Hoo La Baloo (10-13) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Dec, 4 ran.
Neptune D'anzy (FR) (10-6) 4th of 12, 8l behind Polivalente (10-2) at Auteuil 2m 6f chs Grd 1 (1) in Nov.
Kercabellec (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led 3rd to 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 6, 14l behind Julies Boy (10-11) at Leicester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Mr Boo (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Held up, led 6th, ridden 2 out, challenged when fell last, remounted, 3rd of 5, well behind Mister Mustard (12-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Keen hold, held up, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, staying on one pace when left 5 lengths 2nd at last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Le Volfoni (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
