held up in rear, headway when blundered 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat
led, headed 7th, weakened 4 out
track leader,led 7th, headed 2 out, faded flat
chased leaders, mistake 8th, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace flat
held up in rear, blundered 6th, tailed off from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out comfortably
This novices' chase looks to rest between Bestofthebrownies and Tessanoora, with Genghis no back number, and we suggest Tessanoora, who may be better at this trip. Nicky Henderson is not given to sending his horses all the way from Seven Barrows to the Borders without them having serious chance, so we may take it as read that Mick Fitzgerald won't be giving the mare a nice canter around. She has won over this trip sort of twice over hurdles and although she has never run on fast ground she has won on good, and with the amount of weight she receives from her chief rival she looks an attractive proposition. Bestofthebrownies handles the ground and is a clear danger. However, he would ideally prefer this to be over further to be seen to best effect, and unless Paddy Brennan makes this into an end-to-end gallop he might just be tapped for speed at the business end. Genghis is another more-than-useful sort who makes a long trip. He handles the going and over this distance he could be a serious threat if at his best after a break. But Tessanoora has plenty in her favour and can take the prize.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Apr beating Mr Twins (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Captain Murphy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in touch, led 4th, headed 8th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 11, 38l behind Rayshan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Geton (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) In touch ridden after 12th weakened quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, 14th of 17, 37l behind Lutea (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Desperate Bob (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Raced keenly in touch, lost place 5th, weakened and pulled up after 9th pulled up at the 10th in race won by Noir Et Vert (11-8) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Tessanoora 3-1fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, making headway when hit 4 out, chased leaders and ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 10, 27l behind Lord Of Beauty (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Genghis (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, well behind Buena Vista (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Kristiansand 18-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 24l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
