chased leading pair, reminders 2nd, driven and weakened after 3 out
keen, led and soon clear, ridden 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, headed flat, driven and rallied near finish
held up in rear, mistake 5th and 8th, headway after 3 out, driven to lead flat, driven out
held up in touch, improved to chase leader 4 out, soon ridden, every chance flat, stayed on
chased leader, blundered and weakened 9th
Limerick Boy, Specular, and Visibility look the ones to concentrate on in this novices chase and the vote is given to Limerick Boy. The selection was going well when falling last time out in a much better race and he need only put in a clear round to score under conditions that suit. Specular rates the main danger on form in the book but his stable still appears out of sorts and he may be best watched on this occasion. Visibility is another that would not be far away on his best form but he was disappointing behind Sleep Bal for no apparent reason last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Golden Crusader won well last time out when beating Downpour but this looks more competitive and he may struggle under his penalty while Dabus is better on a faster surface and for the winner we return to Limerick Boy.
Visibility (FR) 8-1 Held up in mid-division, mistake 10th, reminders after 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 42l behind Sleep Bal at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (C) gs.
Golden Crusader 20-1 Pulled hard, led after 1st, jumped left 4th, clear approaching final furlong, eased flat, won at Hereford 2m beg chs (E) sft beating Downpour by 11l, 7 ran.
Specular (AUS) 9-1 Held up, hit 3rd, ridden and headway after 11th, no further impression from 4 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Backbeat at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (B) gs in Dec.
Dabus 11-2 Held up, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to take 3rd last strides, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Ghadames at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Kercabellec (FR) 66-1 Led to 2nd, chased leaders to 6th, weakened quickly, 6th of 7, 47l behind Figaro du Rocher at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Limerick Boy (GER) 11-4 Chased leader, mistake 7th, joined leader 10th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Sleep Bal at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (C) gs.
