prominent, led 2nd until 5th, stayed prominent, ridden after 4 out, no chance with winner from next
held up behind leaders, ridden after 11th, soon beaten, jumped badly left 3 out, pulled up before next
prominent, led 5th, drew clear from 3 out, comfortably
chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden after 12th, one pace from 4 out, hung badly left flat
led until 2nd, prominent when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
Dancing Bay gets the vote in this novices' chase with Bold Fire and Il Duce others to consider. The selection was a slightly fortunate winner last time when his chief rival fell to leave him a distance clear of the rest. He is dropped in trip today which will definitely suit and with improvement likely he should take plenty of beating. Bold Fire was pulled-up last time but she has got some decent form over hurdles and if she can brush up on her jumping then she should give our selection plenty to think about. Il Duce did win well at Taunton a couple of runs ago but he has failed to get round on each of his last two starts and he is not one to place maximum faith in. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough and for the winner we are happy to stick with the unexposed Dancing Bay.
Il Duce (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up until fell at the 4th in race won by Natal (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Dancing Bay 8-11fav (11-4) With leader, led 3rd, headed 13th, 4 lengths down when left last, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating Castlecomer (11-4) by a distance, 4 ran.
Bible Lord (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, joined winner and hit 10th, held when hit 3 out, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Monzon (FR) 66-1 (11-1) Held up, left poor 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Desert Air (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Bold Fire 9-4jt-fav (10-2) Not fluent, in touch, dropped to rear 10th, struggling when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ungaro (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
