tracked leaders, headway to chase winner 2 out, every chance last until no extra close home
made all, hard pressed from last, all out
tracked winner, hit 10th, every chance when blundered last, rallied under pressure towards finish, just held
in touch until outpaced 4 out
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out
Isard III can get the better of Mckelvey, with Smiths Landing and Pequenita adding more interest to the contest. Martin Pipe makes the journey up to Kelso with high hopes that Isard III can return to winning ways with conditions in his favour. The French-bred was successful in back-to-back novice chase company at Newton Abbot and Bangor last year, and was in need of his return at Sandown in April when third, giving weight away all round. He should be fitter now and the step up in trip will also be in his favour. It should be remembered that he beat the useful Fork Lightning over hurdles at Ascot two years ago, and he remains open to improvement even at the age of nine. With McCoy riding for Pipe, Peter Bowen has booked Richard Johnson for Mckelvey who only narrowly managed to justify odds-on favouritism at Sedgefield last time. Nevertheless he jumped well and will be helped by the better ground, so is the main danger to the selection. Smiths Landing has bags of ability but needs to concentrate more if he is to develop into the high-class stayer that connections feel he can be, while Pequenita has time on her side at the age of five, but is another that has more on her plate. She caught the eye when opening her account for new connections at Towcester, but needs more juice in the ground. Isard III has the class to prevail and can give A P's legion of supporters something to cheer about here.
Isard III (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Soon pushed along in rear, mistake 7th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, took 3rd flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Full House (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr.
Smiths Landing 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden along in 3rd when fell 5 out in race won by Gunther Mcbride (11-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Mckelvey (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) In touch, tracked leader 6th, led 9th, hard pressed from 2 out, leather broke after last, just held on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (D) gd beating Page Point (11-0) by a hd, 7 ran.
The Miner 25-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 7, 23l behind Moscow Dancer (11-0) at Perth 2m chs (D) gf.
Old Nosey (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 16, 31l behind Lanzlo (11-10) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Pequenita 11-10fav (10-4) Tracked leader, jumped big first, led after 7th, clear after 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (E) gf beating Oulton Broad (10-9) by 11l, 4 ran.
