tracked winner to 6th, rider dropped whip, tracked leaders in 3rd, regained 2nd at 8th, led 15th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last in 3rd and looking held, rallied run-in, stayed on towards finish, just held
led, blundered and headed 15th, regained lead approaching 3 out, hard ridden run-in, kept on gamely, just held on
not fluent, tracked leaders in 3rd, tracked winner 6th until 8th, every chance approaching last, no extra last 100 yards
HEEZ A STEEL should be a class above his two rivals in this Novice Handicap chase so we give him the nod over Gilsland while Greenandredparson will have to improve beyond belief to be scoring. Rated 128 the pick will have to give away plenty of weight but is a former course winner. He was outclassed in a similar event at Cheltenham last time so is best judged on his win on his first start over fences which suggests this rating is a correct one. Based on those ratings Gilsland has a bit to find but Don McCain's runner comes here in form after his second chase win. He ran up to his mark that day so probably will need to find a bit extra but he may do so especially if the ground dries up further. Greenandredparson doesn't complete all that often and is here to make up the numbers so in a two horse race Heez A Steel sets the standard.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Not fluent, tracked winner until mistake 3rd (water), raced in 3rd after, mistake 11th, lost touch from 16th, blundered 3 out, 3rd of 4, 47l behind Just Amazing (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Gilsland (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, driven out, held on well towards finish (no time taken), won at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Mealagh Valley (10-9) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Greenandredparson (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along 12th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Grenoli (9-7) at Southwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
