held up, closer order 7th, pecked 12th, mistake again next, jumped right 2 out, held when mistake last
led, edged left on bend after 6th, headed next, led again 5 out, ridden 2 out, held on line
tracked leader, led 7th, blundered and headed 5 out, ridden 3 out, rallied flat, just failed
close up and fell 7th
held up, mistake 3rd, mistake 7th, ridden and outpaced 9th, chased winner 5 out, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
A very competitive renewal of the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase and preference is for Cheltenham-bound ARALDUR over Herecomesthetruth and Pressgang. Alan King's gelding Araldur receives 4lb from all of his rivals as a youngster in the line-up and this bold Chestnut is taken to extend his winning streak. Having started off in ordinary handicaps, his progression has been sparkling and illuminated the talent of his trainer. Whilst the form of his beating of Free World has been let down by the last-named since, he is expected to find even more improvement for this longer trip and as long as his jumping stands up, a big run looks on the cards. Buck The Legend mopped up early season races where his jumping was supreme; his run last time was lacklustre and the form of the stable would have to be a big worry. Will Be Done has a preferred engagement at Wetherby but if coming here Donald McCain's progressive chaser adds more spice to the mix as he showed plenty of guts to win a decent Haydock race a fortnight ago. Massini's Maguire drops in trip having seemingly failed to stay last time behind the classy Breedsbreeze at Kempton on Boxing day; he rates a big player as he has taken well to fences after a long period on the sidelines. Herecomesthetruth beat Pressgang when they clashed at Taunton in December. He is 6lb better off today and has even won since at Chepstow over this trip. Pressgang franked the form by winning in handicap company recently and considering he was given a tender ride by Timmy Murphy at Taunton he cannot be ruled out, although his erratic jumping out to the left last time means he is not one to trust. A wonderful renewal, where Araldur is fancied to give his trainer a real headache as to which race at Cheltenham to aim for.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Chased winner, mistakes 7th and 10th, ridden when lost 2nd 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 29l behind Deep Purple (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Jumped slightly right, set good gallop, made all, always in command from 5 out, ran on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec beating Presenting Copper (11-7) by 8l, 12 ran.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Jumped sketchily early, led to 4th, chased leader, led 8th, hit 12th, driven and headed 2 out, weakened after last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Pressgang 2-1fav (11-12) With leaders, led and mistake 5th, headed 9th, led 12th, jumped violently left last 3, driven and stayed on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec beating Rodrigo Gonzales (11-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
Araldur (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, bumped 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat, led last strides, won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Free World (11-2) by a n.
Will Be Done (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, blundered 3 out, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft beating Tartak (11-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
