chased leading pair, went 2nd soon after 1st, led and mistake 4th, mistake next, (water), headed before 6th, led again next, jumped left 9th, headed on long run before next, handy 2nd, no extra last
raced freely, led until 4th, chased leader, led again before 6th where jumped slowly, headed next, lost 2nd 9th, no chance with leading duo, tailed off
held up in tracking leading trio, tracked leading pair 3rd, closer 6th, 2nd when carried left 9th, led on long run before 4 out where mistake, blundered next and 2 out, driven out
chased leader, blundered 1st, lost 2nd soon after, dropped to last at 3rd, losing touch when mistake 7th, tailed off
Four of the five entries in this are confirmed front-runners so there will be a battle for the lead. Spock is impossible to recommend racing from 26lb out of the handicap but this is well within the capabilities of the youngest runner, Space Oddity, if he jumps well. Just Cameron won the Castleford Chase at Wetherby in December and is the only hold-up horse. He is a rare runner here for Micky Hammond but Notarfbad’s Taunton victory came over a much longer trip. TORNADO IN MILAN appreciated the return to 2m at Chepstow and was always holding the runner-up. He’s gone up 5lb but Richard Johnson takes over the reins and a follow-up looks on the cards.
Just Cameron 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 7 out, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 15 3/4l behind Positively Dylan (10-11) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Notarfbad (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, chased leader at strong pace, led approaching 6th, 6 lengths clear going strongly last, heavily eased towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Resolution Bay (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Led after 1st, headed before next, led 6th, driven approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Overtown Express (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Spock (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Led and soon clear, hit 11th, reduced lead and joined 3 out, headed run-in, weakened into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 5 3/4l behind The Last But One (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Space Oddity (FR) 6-5 (11-3) Led until blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Fontwell 2m 2f (2) gs in Feb.
