chased clear leader to 13th, left 2nd 4 out, led soon after 3 out, ridden clear flat
held up in 3rd, chased clear leader 13th, left in lead 4 out, headed soon after 3 out, pecked 2 out, soon well held, eased flat
tended to jump left, keen, led and soon clear, 10 lengths ahead and going well when blundered and fell 4 out
took keen hold, held up, mistake 4th, blundered 6th, jumped slowly and lost touch 11th, tailed off when fell 14th
A tight little affair, with preference for Mounsey Castle over Even More, Rodalko and Arctic Sky. Fourth to no less than Thithatandtother on his bumper debut in 2002, Mounsey Castle quickly made his mark over hurdles, scoring twice, and made an immediate impact when sent over fences at Warwick in September, beating two fairly useful rivals comfortably. Apart from a slight mistake two out, Philip Hobbs' charge never put a foot wrong, and he looks one to follow in novice staying chases. Reportedly well over a minor shoulder injury, he just gets the nod over some equally promising rivals. Arctic Sky beat sole rival Lorenzino here a fortnight ago to open his account over fences at the first time of asking, and as he had been restricted to indoor schooling at home, can only improve and would appear to be the main danger. Rodalko jumped to the right when he too made a winning start to his chasing career at Worcester under Tony McCoy. His form over hurdles deteriorated due to intestinal ulcers, but he can make up for lost time this season. Even More has been put over fences from the start and did not impress with his win her two weeks ago, as the favourite came a cropper early on, leaving him with just one opponent to beat. However, he could do no more than oblige, and should not be totally discounted. Mounsey Castle has the most scope though and is the selection.
