chased winner, jumped right 3 out, soon ridden, flattered briefly last, not pace of winner
chased winner, bumped 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leading trio, ridden after 3 out, pecked 2 out and last, stayed on
made all, pecked 1st, not fluent last, ran on well, readily
Disappointingly just four runners go to post for this beginners' chase but there is quite a bit of quality to the field with Jack The Giant, Water Taxi and Vaughan all likely to win races over fences this term but the one that appeals most is Nippy des Mottes. The Paul Nicholls-trained French import won four times over hurdles last term on differing ground and, from a yard that has begun the season in good form, he is taken to make a winning debut to his chasing career. Nicky Henderson's Jack The Giant showed progressive form over hurdles last term and has to be of interest in receipt of weight, especially with his yard now in form. The same cannot be said of either of the other two runners, Vaughan and Water Taxi, who are trained by Henry Daly and Ferdy Murphy respectively. They may be best watched today in a race that is taken to go to Nippy des Mottes.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Vaughan 5-2 (12-0) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and hit 3 out, soon hung left, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Ken's Dream (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Water Taxi 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, effort and chased winner last, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Ungaro (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Jack The Giant (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Held up, took closer order 3rd, chased winner from 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Bob Justice (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
