chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, until approaching 9th, weakened 10th, left modest 4th 2 out, until after last
mid-division, steady headway 9th, chased leading pair next, left close 2nd and badly hampered 2 out, going well when switched right before last, led last, driven out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 9th, 3 lengths down when left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden before last, headed last, stayed on same pace flat
mistakes 2nd and next, behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
mid-division, weakened 8th, rallied and stayed on approaching last, where mistake, went 4th flat
always behind, driven and struggling 6th, tailed off
chased leader until 4th, weakened 8th, losing touch when blundered and went left 9th, tailed off
in touch, weakening when hampered on inside 9th, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 10th, left modest 3rd 2 out
led, 3 lengths ahead when fell 2 out
It appears that Howard Johnson has found a good opportunity for GRINGO to win on his first try over fences in this Beginners' chase so we give him the vote with Quality Control interesting on a return from a break and Eyre Square also on this list. Useful on the level and more so over hurdles the selection won a handicap over timber rated 119 before finding just the one to good in a listed event. Based on his form in that sphere he should be too classy for his rivals and we expect success on his chase bow. Quality Control was on form when he left us in March 2008 scoring twice, including on his only start at this track, before just missing out on his last start. He handles conditions just fine and if fit and ready stands a good chance of getting involved. Eyre Square is unexposed and made a solid start to life over the big jumps when find just one too good. He was ultimately well held that day but should improve after some useful form coming out of his bumper runs. Scale Back is the standard setter of those with a chase mark and could make experience count but if up to the level of his form over timber Gringo will be hard to beat.
Eyre Square (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 9th, no chance with winner approaching 4 out, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Gansey (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
Gringo 25-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 20l behind Treaty Flyer (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Just Matty 250-1 (10-11) Always behind, lost touch, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Benny Be Good (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Karmadice 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, close up 3rd when fell 7th, in a race won by Carrietau (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Naughty Diesel 17-2 (9-7) Led until after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Devils Delight (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Neptune Equester 50-1 (11-0) Blundered 1st, held up on outside, struggling 7th, soon lost touch, no danger after, 4th of 7, 32l behind Diamond Frontier (11-0) at Newcastle 2m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Quality Control (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Fresh Winter (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar '08.
Recoil (IRE) 250-1 (10-8) Held up, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Diamond Frontier (11-0) at Newcastle 2m beg chase (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Scale Bank (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) In touch, effort to chase leading pair 2 out, soon one pace, lost 3rd last, 4th of 7, 13l behind Miss Pross (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 39l behind Ockey De Neulliac (10-12) at Catterick 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
What A Buzz 25-1 (11-0) Led to 5th, mistake next, weakened after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
