tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead when mistake 3 out, shaken up between last 2, driven out flat, kept on
tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th approaching 3 out, no chance with leaders before next
with leader, effort in 3rd when hit 3 out, regained 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on flat, no impression with winner
held up in rear in touch, struggling 7th, plugged on same pace, no chance with leaders
made most, headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on flat, no impression with winner
Only five runners are due to face the starter in this novice chase but it's still probably the most interesting race on the card. Sire De Gurgy made a winning start over fences at Kempton and ran Captain Conan to two lengths in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time. He'll make a bold bid to defy his penalty but CANTLOW ran a blinder on his chasing bow behind Hazy Tom at Warwick and, with McCoy up and in receipt of 7lb, he's just preferred. Like the selection, Aikideau might prefer a longer trip but can't be ignored if jumping better than when falling at Plumpton and the four-year-old Dark And Dangerous was decent over hurdles last term. Somerby looks out of his depth however.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway to track winner 3 out, soon challenged, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, held final 75 yards, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Captain Conan (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft.
Aikideau (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, fell 1st, in a race won by Broadbackbob (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs, 9 ran.
Cantlow (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from last, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Hazy Tom (11-1) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Somerby (IRE) 150-1 (11-1) Always in last pair, struggling bypassing omitted 8th (5 out), tailed off, 6th of 7, 39l behind Milarrow (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, headway on outside approaching 2 out, driven and one pace in 4th between last 2, no real impression, left 3rd last, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind General Ting (10-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
