held up in touch, bumped 3rd, mistake 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, no chance when mistakes 3 out and last
held up in touch, headway 8th, not fluent 14th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
chased leader until 12th, led 13th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
led until 13th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, led and jumped left 3 out, jumped left and mistake 2 out, soon headed, switched right approaching last, no extra
held up, jumped right 2nd, headway approaching 14th, went 2nd after 3 out, led after 2 out, jumped right last, easily
In an interesting event for novices, we will side with Graphic Approach, with possibly Alexanderthegreat, Sixo, Mixsterthetrixster and Alexanderthegreat looking like solid opponents. Graphic Approach has looked a chaser with a future in winning his two chasing starts to date and, even though this represents a step up in grade, he looks ready for it and will need to win or go close to justify his Cheltenham hopes. Alexanderthegreat has also looked promising, although Control Man put him in his place at Exeter last time. It could be that the going was softer than ideal for him in that race and he remains promising. Much as Distant Thunder has yet to win his novice event, he has been placed three times at Graded level behind the likes of Comply Or Die, Cornish Rebel and L'Ami, and he was fourth behind Ollie Magern at Grade 1 level last time. However, he was disappointing when odds-on at Folkestone last time when beaten by the 100/1 shot Bubble Boy, so you will need to forgive him that effort, although he is six pounds better off with Brendan Powell's runner for the half-length he was beaten on that occasion. Sixo made a pleasing chasing debut at Chepstow last time and, with further successes seemingly assured, is worth his place in the line-up, while Mixsterthetrixster outstayed his rivals to score over course and distance last time and, with the third having since won, the form is solid but, in our view, unspectacular. Consequently, we look elsewhere for the winner, which we think might be Graphic Approach.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 6-4 Held up towards rear, headway 13th, tracked winner after 15th, ridden 3 out, very tired after 2 out, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Control Man at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (C) gs in Jan.
Graphic Approach (IRE) 3-10fav Made all, clear when mistake 3 out, easily, won at Southwell 3m nov chs (C) gd in Jan beating Columbus by 23l, 4 ran.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 8-1 Held up, headway from 2 out, effort last, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov chs (C) gs in Jan beating See You Sometime by a nk, 6 ran.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 100-1 Made all, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (D) sft in Jan beating Distant Thunder by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sixo (IRE) 6-4fav Held up, headway approaching 16th, led 18th, blundered last, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (E) hvy in Jan beating Sonnant by 3l, 9 ran.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 8-13fav Chased winner, hit 2nd, challenged approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Bubble Boy at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (D) sft in Jan.
