held up in rear, hampered 4 out, never dangerous
prominent, went 2nd, clear next, challenged from 2 out, ran on well
led until 2nd, remained in touch, not fluent 8th, weakened after next
tracked leaders early, soon in touch, weakening when fell 4 out
held up mid-division, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, mistake last, no extra
pulled hard in mid-division, headway to track leader 4th, every chance 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 4 out
Manhattan Boy has plenty to prove on his chase debut and this may be best left to Fleet Street and High Tech Made with preference for the former. Nicky Henderson's charge has clearly had his problems but he also has his share of ability as placed efforts behind Brave Inca and Royal Shakespeare indicate. He came up against Voy Por Ustedes on his sole start over fences to date and was far from disgraced; he's unlikely to lack for fitness and is sure to have been well schooled. High Tech Made showed a decent level of form in bumpers and was running well enough on his chase debut until falling but the fact that that race was over three miles three raises concerns about today's trip. It should prove no problem for Manhattan Boy but his recent form is a cause for concern and, in any event, Fleet Street could prove too strong for this opposition if he retains his ability.
Coolavanny Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th and fell 5 out in race won by Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Fleet Street 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outer, 10th halfway, no extra from 4 out, 20th of 22, 49l behind Bobs Pride (11-1) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Guns of Love (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Led 1st, chased winner until 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Mibleu (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
High Tech Made (FR) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, hit 9th, headway when fell 5 out in race won by Carryduff (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Kingtobee (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Always behind, no chance when fell at the last in race won by Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar '06, 16 ran.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 9-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, chased winner approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 50l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 17, 20l behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tailed off 9th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Magot De Grugy (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Making Overtures 100-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
