chased leaders to 10th, in touch, hit 14th, headway and went 3rd 17th, stayed on same pace from 4 out
made most to 12th, chased leader, regained lead 4 out, in command approaching 2 out, soon clear and stayed on strongly
jumped right throughout, never going well in rear, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
not fluent in rear, soon in touch, blundered 15th and 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders 10th until weakened after 16th, tailed off
chased leader, led 12th to 4 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
soon driven along towards rear, struggling after 11th, tailed off
in touch, headway to chase leader 16th, challenged from 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders until weakened after 16th
An important race among the amateur riding fraternity but not one for punters to get too heavily involved in and we side with Harrycone Lewis to take the race at the principal expense of Special Conquest and Lord Brock. Carl Llewellyn's stable form has been a little in-and-out but Harrycone Lewis' recent run can be overlooked as he met with substantial interference from loose horses during the run. A winner of four chases during his career, he is at least back to a winning mark. Special Conquest had not won for three years before picking up a chase at Exeter. The form of that race was given a boost by Notanotherdonkey's subsequent victory at Wetherby. Jamie Snowden is booked this afternoon. Lord Brock had demonstrated some ability over hurdles and is watched in the market following this first run for almost two years. Victory Gunner stays this trip well enough but his first time out form is not great. A tough race with plenty of imponderables and we side with Harrycone Lewis.
Elvis Returns 3-1 (10-13) With leader, led after 10th, headed 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Kerry Lads (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Harrycone Lewis 9-1 (10-6) Led, jumped left and lost place 5th, ridden 14th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Lord Brock 4-1co-fav (11-12) Behind from 3rd, mistake and reminders 4th, no chance when hit 13th, 4th of 6, 32l behind Bannister Lane (10-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb '06.
Ronald Jack (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Behind when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Mister Apple's (9-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Behind, pushed along 6th, weakened and jumped slowly 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Dante Citizen (IRE) (11-2) won at Cranbourne 2m 7f crs cty chs sft in Sept beating Korigan De Sourdon (11-2) by 5l, 10 ran.
Charango Star 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Petit Lord (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Meggie's Beau (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 12th, mistake next, headed 14th, chased winner after, no impression, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Presenting Express (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct '06.
Special Conquest 25-1 (9-11) Prominent until 5th, remained in touch, pushed along, ridden after 11th, stayed on from 4 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Notanotherdonkey (10-6) by 1l, 9 ran.
