chased leaders, progress to join leader 4 out, led before next, driven clear approaching last, readily
held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, soon pulled up
led until 7th, led again 9th, headed after 4 out, every chance when next
held up in rear but in touch, headway after 4 out, chasing leaders when hampered and left in 3rd at 3 out, never a threat
with leader, slow 1st, led 7th, headed when blundered 9th, soon lost place, left in 4th at 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, effort when left in 2nd at 3 out, not fluent next, kept on same pace
Shantou Magic had yet to be asked a question when falling at Carlise on his chasing debut and could figure if fully recovered. Catching On ended last season with a win over hurdles and makes more appeal than Call Me Vic and Benevolent but he remaining pair have stronger claims. Straidnahanna ran well for third at Carlisle last time and should go close but VIVA STEVE found only Cloudy Bob too good over these fences last time and Mick Channon's charge gets the vote on that form.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Close up, weakening when fell 12th, in a race won by Big Water (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) sft, 11 ran.
Call Me Vic (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 11th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, 45l behind Lookslikerainted (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Catching On (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ran on well (2 hurdles ommited), won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May beating Silverton (10-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Benevolent (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) In touch, reminder after 7th, ridden and struggling 9th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Benefit Cut (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed narrowly next, kept on one pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Big Water (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Viva Steve (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Led to 4th, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, switched inside approaching next, ridden and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Cloudy Bob (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
