led, driven approaching 4 out, headed before next, soon ridden and rallied, weakened last
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, stayed on well approaching last, never able to challenge
tracked winner, led before 3 out, not fluent and headed next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 12th, headway 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, ran on well (no time taken)
Nonrunner
On these terms FOREST PENNANT should take this Novice's chase and we give the Paul Nicholls runner the verdict narrow over Richard's Sundance while Ginolad looks best of the remainder. A listed winner over hurdles the pick returned from a lengthy absence to score well on his fencing bow in a similar race. He hasn't quite lived up to that promise in two starts and although there is a nagging doubt whether he actually stays this far he worth another go to find out. Richard's Sundance wouldn't have to find much on these terms and chalked up back-to-back chase victories at the turn of the year. Based on the last of those he has less to prove on the stamina front but after a poor run last time and plenty to do based on his hurdles form we are just tempted to look elsewhere. Ginolad will need to improve to get on top but after just four starts might find a little more now tried in these conditions for the first time, however, with the remaining pair looking up against it we risk that Forest Pennant will stay this trip and if he does he should be too good.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Led until narrowly headed 7th, hit 10th, chased leader until 12th, weakened 4 out, beaten when went left last 3, tailed off, 4th of 5, 42l behind Fairoak Lad (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (3) gd.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent from 13th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Dance Island (10-12) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Ginolad (AUS) 14-1 (11-4) Led to 5th, jumped slow next, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Awesome George (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft.
Song Sung Blue (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, just held for 2nd near line, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Pickamus (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Dancing Mist (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Led until headed before 11th, dropped to 3rd and driven along 12th, rallied ot lead after 4 out, soon clear and stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Might As Well (10-7) by 18l, 5 ran.
