tracked leaders, not fluent 11th, lead before 2 out, soon clear, comfortably
tracked leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out
held up in touch, lost place before 7th, under pressure after 9th, soon beaten
tracked leader, mistake 12th, soon lost place and behind
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly 8th, never dangerous
held up in rear, mistake 9th, headway before 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on from 2 out, no chance with winner
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Mighty Matters comes here chasing the hat-trick and is taken to score; Dada Cup looks the main danger. The selection comes here on the back of comfortable wins at Wincanton and at the track, and he seems to have got his act together over fences. He is effective on various ground conditions, and he looks sure to run well despite a further rise in the weights. Dada Cup makes his chasing debut today and the market will help guide to his chances as he returns from a break, although he looks sure to make a better chaser than a hurdler. However the stable aren't quite firing yet, so of more interest may be Parish Oak. He wasn't beaten far last time at Chepstow and whilst he holds no secrets for the handicapper, he should run his race. Party Games has winning course form so deserves a check, however it is Mighty Matters who is taken to win again.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th to 8th, 2nd again 11th, led 4 out, drew clear after 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Blaze Ahead (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Party Games (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Chased winner, bumped 5th, ridden 15th, mistake 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Cool Roxy (11-9) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 6th, reminders 11th, weakened 14th, 5th of 11, well behind Pass Me By (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Persian Native (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led approaching 3rd, landed steeply, slipped and headed 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ammunition (11-10) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Parish Oak 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on flat, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lyon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Dada Cup (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, some headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 29l behind Missis Potts (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Major Euro (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) With leader, led 2nd, ridden and mistake 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Highland Chief (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
