held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased winner 9th, 6 lengths down when blundered 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
chased winner and keen, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened next
in touch, lost place approaching 7th, behind and beaten when fell 3 out
made all, clear 4 out, kept on well
Gone Too Far gets the vote over Bernadon and Nowator, with Corbie Abbey worth a mention as well. Gone Too far can be classed as a decisive winner at Hexham recently, coming home to the tune of 19 lengths from Minster Glory. He deserved that success on his first venture into handicap- chase company, having come up against useful opponents earlier. That win should have done his confidence the world of good according to trainer Peter Monteith, and this step back into novice company should enable the six-year-old, a winner on the Flat for Michael Dods, to add to his tally. Bernadon makes a quick reappearance after chasing home Cobbet at Uttoxeter three days ago. Richard Guest's charge came from way off the pace that day and may benefit from being kept a bit closer here by Tony McCoy. He can give the selection most to do along with Nowator who is still a bit novicey over fences but who shaped well when second to Bronzesmith at Newton Abbot. Lucinda Russell captured the corresponding event 12 months ago with Sunday Rain, but it is hard to envisage Grafton Truce doing the same based on his two efforts so far this term, while Corbie Abbey raced much too keenly at Cartmel last time and in any case does not have as much scope as Gone Too Far who is the one to beat.
