tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, no impression
tracked leaders, effort when mistake 3 out,soon weakened,virtually pulled up flat
with leaders, blundered 7th, ridden 3 out,every chance approaching last, weakened flat
towards rear, pushed along approching 3 out, outpaced next, kept on one pace flat
held up in touch, headway 4 out, led last, canter
mid-division, outpcaed after 4 out, kept on one pace flat
led, ridden and headed last, no chance with winner
towards rear, mistake 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when blundered 2 out,pulled before last
Le Duc, Argento and Edmo Heights are the three most likely to trouble the judge in this novices' chase and the confident vote is given to Le Duc. This gelding from the Paul Nicholls yard was well beaten over hurdles at Newbury last time, but back over the bigger obstacles he is difficult to oppose. He is clearly not the most straightforward character but he does have bags of ability and ran well enough when second behind Bonus Bridge at Ludlow to make him the one they all have to beat. Argento unseated his rider at Catterick last time in race where Edmo Heights finished third behind Noisetine. Edmo Heights made a bad mistake in that race and although he cannot be ruled out here, he has yet to beat anything of note since going chasing and it might pay to take him on again. Argento has now failed to complete on his last two starts having fallen previously but if he gets a clear round he will be a big danger to our selection. Darnley has been running well of late so is another that has to enter calculations, but for the selection we return to Le Duc.
