chased leader, ridden before 7th, challenged 10th, ridden to narrow lead before 2 out, driven and joined flat, stayed on under pressure to just assert when hung left final 75 yards
tracked leading pair until steadied to 4th approaching 5th, went poor 3rd again 10th, no chance with leading duo
led, joined when pecked 10th, narrowly headed before 2 out, stayed challenging, upsides and every chance flat, found no extra and held final 75 yards
took keen hold, held up early stages, headway to track leading pair approaching 5th, blundered almost unseated rider and lost ground 7th, lost poor 3rd 10th, plugged on
tended to jump left, took keen hold, held up in 4th, ridden and struggling in rear, when went badly left and blundered 8th, pulled up before next
No real need to look past CLASSIC SWAIN in this Beginners' Chase with Kickahead the only real danger and Diaco looks best of the remaining trio. Beaten just once in three starts at this track the presence of Tony McCoy on the Paul Nicholls trained pick is promising and having found just the one too good on both starts in this sphere he has a clear chance to go one better. Kickahead was only just denied on his fencing bow and ran to a good level over hurdles so he should give the selection a race. Diaco has proved nothing special so far and the fact the champion isn't riding this for his boss says it all. The remaining pair make no appeal so Classic Swain should be getting off the mark over the big stuff.
Classic Swain (USA) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, chased winner 12th, ridden when not fluent 3 out (water), edged left approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Gee Dee Nen (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (5) gf in Jun.
Diaco (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 9th, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 25l behind Walamo (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf.
Intac (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 10, 20l behind Crathorne (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf.
Kickahead (USA) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 8th to go 2nd, ridden approaching last, stayed on well towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Novikov (10-9) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf.
King Gabriel (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, tailed off from 3 out, last of 11, well behind Stumped (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
