tracked leading pair, hit 3rd and 10th, ridden and starting to struggle when fell 15th
not fluent early stages, tracked leader, mistake 8th, switched to inside and driven after 3 out, soon challenging, upsides last, driven ahead flat, held on
held up, jumped right at some fences, hit 3rd, headway to 4th at 8th, left 3rd at 15th, no chance with leading duo, tailed off
led, ridden along after 4 out, kept narrow lead under pressure, joined last, headed flat, rallied gamely close home, just held
last, lost touch 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
tracked leading trio, ridden and struggling 8th, lost touch 11th, no chance when blundered 15th and unseated rider soon after
Flying Doctor is best served by the framing of the Novice Chase but his rating might be over inflated so instead the vote goes to THE FERBANE MAN, who has scope for improvement and Chevy To The Levy isn't weighted out of a challenge. In contention in all eight career starts the pick has won two of his last four starts. His length defeat to Neptune Equester on his last run confirms his well being so with more improvement possible he has the call. Flying Doctor carries an official rating of 128 but that looks a little generous on what he's achieved. He was a comfortable winner the last time he was in one of these races but has a little to prove after his last couple of starts. Chevy To The Levy doesn't have to find much at the weights to get involved and on his hurdles form is one of the more likely but with none of the others in the line-up making any appeal The Ferbane Man gets the vote.
Flying Doctor 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, reminders approaching 13th, soon outpaced, mistake 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 30l behind Bill's Echo (10-10) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
The Ferbane Man (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway when mistake 5 out, headway approaching 4 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Neptune Equester (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Canon's Corner (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 4th 6out & 3rd 4out, no ex from 2out, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Cockpit Lane (12-0) at Inchydoney 3m ire ptp gf in May '09.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, left close 2nd and hampered 8th, left in lead 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Silver Story (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Jun.
Dougall (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 42l behind Flying Doctor (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Flag Hill 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 43l behind Flying Doctor (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
