tracked leaders, mistake 5th, blundered next, mistake and lost place 7th, soon weakened
pressed leader, effort 3f out, soon outpaced, left 3rd last, no impression
held up, mistake 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3f out
in touch, effort 3f out, ridden and left 3 lengths 2nd, last, no impression
held up, steady headway after 4f out, challenging when left 3l clear, last, stayed on well
led, ridden 2f out, joined when fell last
held up, outpaced 4f out, soon no impression
held up, reminders 7th, headway under pressure 4f out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
Kristiansand's recent display of recalcitrance at Musselburgh makes him a shaky option so whilst he needs respect, we'd rather take a chance on FREDDIE THE THIRD who makes his chasing debut today; Brave Broncho and Notre Cyborg make it to the shortlist. The selection makes his seasonal reappearance today and progressed well last season over hurdles, despite not winning a race. That was all about experience as he was always going to be aimed over fences and if the market signs are positive then he can make a winning start over fences. Justheoneforyou is unexposed and could feature, whilst fellow chase debutant Castle Craigs also commands some degree of respect. Go Silver Bullet has the first start for Lucinda Russell today and had some fair form without winning over in Ireland, whilst Jamie's Boy comes across the Irish Sea for this pot. Carthy's Cross is ultra-consistent however his record suggests at more heart-ache for connections, so a bigger danger could be course and distance winner Brave Broncho if he is on a going day. An intriguing Novices' handicap chase and we will side with Freddie The Third.
Freddie The Third (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Masked Man (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, led again 6th, ridden and headed before last, no impression on leader and disputing 2nd when brought down 5 out in race won by Salt Lake (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gd in May, 12 ran.
Jamie's Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 17th of 20, well behind Bokkie Park (10-13) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdle gs in Aug.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, ridden and went 3rd 4 out, switched left and went 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Dyneburg (11-8) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul '07.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, some headway 6th, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 36l behind Laoch Dubh (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Brave Broncho (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place 9th, soon weakened, behind when refused in race won by Livingonaknifedge (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Aug, 9 ran.
Justtheoneforyou 5-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and hung left last, finished 2nd, placed 3rd, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Classic Moon (11-0) at Perth 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Castle Craigs (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Brousse En Feux (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Athollbrose (USA) 11-1 (10-3) Led to 7th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 35l behind Alto Stratus (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Aug.
Kristiansand 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader, jumped slowly 2nd, led 3rd, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jul beating Film Festival (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.