tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 10th until after next, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on, no chance of winner from 2 out
tracked leaders, shaken up to go 3rd 2 out, soon beaten
led to 10th, led after next, headed when stumbled slightly 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader to 4th, close up, challenged 12th, led 4 out, cleared from 2 out very easily
A good renewal of this Grade 2 novices' chase with the genuine touch of class added by PUNCHESTOWNS, who is an exciting recruit to these ranks and can score on debut, while Dee Ee Williams can emerge as the leading danger. The latter should have learned plenty from his Exeter debut earlier in the month, and is very likely to improve for both that and this step up in trip. The Gifford stable is going well, and this six-year-old acts with cut in the ground, so he can make a race of it. Martys Mission was beaten over 16 lengths at Plumpton by Bensalem last time, and while his conqueror may also go on to be a leading light in this company, even a generous interpretation of that form from the Zaffaran gelding's viewpoint gives him a fair bit to find to trouble these. Then we come to Red Admiral. Charlie Mann's likeable gelding has won three of his four novices' chases, including the Grade 2 Rising Stars' contest at Wincanton last time. He is more than capable of picking up further wins this season over this sort of trip, but it is hard to see he or any of these being good enough to eclipse Punchestowns. Right out of the top drawer over hurdles, Nicky Henderson's star relishes testing ground and found only the excellent Big Buck's too good for him in the top staying hurdles last season. He has over two stones in hand on all three opponents on that basis, is sure to have been well prepared, and it will be a big shock if he cannot begin a campaign geared towards the RSA Chase with a win.
Martys Mission (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Disputed lead to 4th, chased winner after, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Bensalem (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy.
Red Admiral (USA) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, left in lead 5 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs beating Bakbenscher (11-2) by 8l, 3 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Chased winner who was soon clear, closed gap to 5 lengths 4 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Tchico Polos (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs.
Punchestowns (FR) 10-3 (11-10) In touch, not fluent 5th, closed 7th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and pressed last, edged left and headed flat, held when switched right towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
