race keen, made all, clear 9th, comfortably
not jumped well, soon behind, blundered 6th, blundered badly 10th, blundered and unseated rider next
tracked winner, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
soon tracked leaders, stayed on to chase winner 4 out, no chance
Just a field of five contest this novices' chase and Grattan Lodge looks the pick of them, with Florries Son and Shining Tyne given as the main dangers. Trainer Howard Johnson holds this seven-year-old in very high esteem and in time, expects him to make a very good long distance chaser. However he is also very effective over a shorter trip as he proved when comfortably winning at Sedgefield over two miles and five furlongs last time.Against today's opposition it is hard to see him getting beaten. Florries Son could be the one to give the selection a fight, if he sorts out his jumping. He was well supported to win a novice chase at Kelso back in November but didn't give the fences enough respect and fell on the second circuit. Of the others Shining Tyne looks to be the only one with any sort of form claims, but does need to step up on what he has achieved to date. So with doubts about most of the opposition Gratton Lodge should win this in a canter.
