chased leader, joined leader 14th, soon ridden, led after 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, all out
in 4th when fell heavily 2nd
led, headed after 3 out, upsides when hit last, no extra towards finish
in rear, jumped badly right throughout, never dangerous
chased leaders in 3rd, outpaced 4 out
hampered 1st, always behind, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gold Medallist, Roll Along and Shardakhan look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the vote is given to Gold Meadallist. The selection was a good second after a long absence behind Tidal Bay last time is sure to have come on for the run and with improvement likely also over this longer trip he looks the one to be on. Roll Along rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Monzon. However on hurdles form he has a little to find with the selection and he will do well to give weight and a beating to him. Shardakhan is another that could go well but he will find this harder than when beating Georges Boy last time and he is another that looks vulnerable under a penalty. Menchikov hails from a yard in form and should be watched in the market but the suspicion is he may need the run after a 646 day break and for the winner we are happy to return to Gold Medallist who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Sprosser (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 15th, chased winner approaching 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Spring Lover (10-11) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Fabrezan (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Ma Yahab (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Gold Medallist 11-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 4 out, ridden, hit 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner from last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Midleton Madness (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In touch until unseated rider in race won by Anshanjack (12-0) at Detling 3m ptp gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Tanners Court 20-1 (10-7) Held up, hampered when fell at the 9th in race won by Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft, 6 ran.
The Client (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 9th, 10th of 14, well behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Roll Along (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) In touch, closer order 10th, left in lead and clear 4 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Monzon (10-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
Shardakhan (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 10th, ridden to lead 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Georges Boy (10-2) by 4l, 12 ran.
Dinnie Flanagan (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Prominent, left in lead 12th, headed 14th, led again 16th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance when fell in race won by Beat The Boys (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Menchikov (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced from next, soon struggling, last of 4, well behind According To John (11-6) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr '06.
Palmers Peak (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) Prominent, left in lead 14th, headed & outpaced app last, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Tooley Park (12-0) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in Feb.
