in touch, tracked clear leader 5th, mistakes 9th and 11th, closed on leader before 2 out, switched inside between last 2, led after last, ridden out
raced keenly, pecked 1st, with leader, quickened to lead 3rd, clear to before 2 out, headed after last, ridden and one pace flat
led narrowly to 3rd, blundered next, lost place and behind 5th, not jump well after, weakened 12th
held up in touch, ridden and effort to go well held 3rd before 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading pair
held up behind, headway to chase leading pair 8th, outpaced when blundered 12th, lost well held 3rd before 3 out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place 8th, struggling 10th, behind from 4 out
SAMURAI WAY did it well at Towcester on his chasing debut and is fancied to follow up at the main expense of Jump Jet and Heavenly Chorus. Venetia Williams has not had the best of months but this fellow was one of the highlights when winning as a well-backed favourite at Towcester. On similar ground this afternoon and under a 7lb penalty, the feeling is that if his jumping holds up he should be very hard to overhaul. Ouste has a very hit and miss profile but the blinker and tongue-tie combo is tried for the first time. If this helps him go past rivals in the finish then a repeat of his second to Noun De La Thinte here in January would see him go close. Jump Jet comes from a stable on the crest of a wave and the handicapper is giving him a chance. He looks well-handicapped on his 2009 form although he has a little to find with Ouste on their run here in January. Kilkenny All Star is yet to win over this far but he ran well over three miles at Huntingdon last time, Heavenly Chorus is a course winner and should relish the return to fences, whilst Pelo Du Bief completes the field. He is another with a good record at the track and he should be considered, especially if the ground softens. In truth however, this looks a fine opportunity for Samurai Way to win again.
Samurai Way 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, hit 10th challenged 3 out, led before next, ridden between last 2, stayed on to go clear flat, readily, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Circus Of Dreams (11-3) by 10l, 6 ran.
Ouste (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 8th, not fluent next, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lease Lend (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Jump Jet (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place 11th, hit next, rallied 13th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 46l behind Ringaroses (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Feb.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, weakened approaching 2 out, blundered last, 5th of 9, 20l behind Noakarad De Verzee (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Heavenly Chorus 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 10, 21l behind Diavoleria (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Pulled hard in rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 14l behind Ballyvesey (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
