tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led after 4 out, ridden 4 lengths clear last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, blundered 4th, driven and outpaced 4 out, 4 lengths 3rd, one pace when mistake next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat
led and set slow pace, driven and headed after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway 5 out, driven and outpaced before next, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader to 8th, remained in touch, lost place after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off
It is hard to look past DOOR BOY in this novices' chase and he is given the vote ahead of Fabalu and Classic Cut. Howard Johnson's 7-year-old was an impressive winner when he beat a useful yardstick in Little Josh last time out. That form looks solid enough in the context of this race and as we know he handles the ground he should take plenty of beating. Fabalu failed to get home at Market Rasen last time so this slight drop in trip should suit and he had been in good form prior to that run last time out. The handicapper has given him a chance here and it would not be a surprise to see him bounce back to form. Classic Cut was well beaten on his chase debut at Carlisle back in November but has got winning form over hurdles and he should learn plenty for that run last time out. The Green Hat is hard to fancy, while Supreme Builder has failed to complete on his last two starts. This looks a good opportunity for Door Boy who should prove tough to beat.
Door Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Always prominent, left clear 2nd 7th, headway to join leader when blundered 4 out, ridden to lead between last 2, stayed on flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Little Josh (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
Classic Cut 14-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left 3rd, hit 6th, outpaced 10th, kept on to take moderate 3rd, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Fabalu (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Led, ridden, headed after 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Bay Cherry (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Supreme Builder 9-2 (11-3) Held up, headway to track leading pair before 11th, ridden, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bay Cherry (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
The Green Hat (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) With leader, led 3rd, headed 5 out, one pace and no impression from next, 5th of 12, 39l behind Toy Gun (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
