made all, ridden and hit 2 out, driven and hung left flat, all out
close up, hit 5th, chased winner 6th, mistake 3 out, switched left and every chance 2 out, driven flat, unable to quicken near finish
soon tailed off, finished a very remote 4th
tracked winner until 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
This looks the best novices hurdle of the season so far and the principals look to be Gold Medallist, Pole Star and Bagan and the confident vote is given to Gold Medalist. The selection was a fair sort on the flat and looks even better over hurdles. He has won his two starts to date with plenty in hand notably when beating Hot Weld last time out. He has conditions to suit here and despite giving weight to all of his rivals he is taken to score before going on to the Cheltenham Festival. Pole Star rates the main danger he also won well last time out when defeating Spartan Palace but this looks tougher and he does not appear to have the stamina of the selection and for that reason he is opposed. Bagan is another that could go well as he showed improved form to defeat Senor Sedona in good style last time out but this looks tougher and he will need to improve again to win this. Of the remainder Jair Ohmsford and Waltzing Beau are other good novices but both have a little to find with the selection Gold Medalist on ratings and he gets the confident vote.
Gold Medallist 2-7fav Jumped well, tracked leader, led 4th, clear 7th, made remainder, easily, won at Kempton 3m nov hdl (C) gd in Jan beating Hot Weld by 18l, 4 ran.
Pole Star 1-2fav Close up, mistake 6th, challenged going well 4 out, led next, drew clear flat, won at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan beating Spartan Place by 7l, 18 ran.
Government (IRE) 150-1 Behind from 4th, 7th of 9, well behind At Your Request at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) gs.
Waltzing Beau 20-1 Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Jan beating Innocent Rebel by a distance, 10 ran.
Bagan (FR) 4-1 Close up, challenged on outer and led 2 out, in command before last, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan beating Senor Sedona by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Jair Ohmsford (IRE) 2-1 Prominent, joined leader 4th, led 6th, joined after 2 out, headed and weakened before last, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Dusky Warbler at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs.
