held up towards rear, outpaced approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on from last
held up, headway 10th, left in lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well
held up towards rear, ridden and chasing leaders in 3rd when stumbled 2 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, hit 4th, behind from 8th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 5th, blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
held up mid-division, blundered and lost place from 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, reminders after next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led and raced keen, headed 5th, tracked leader, ridden after 2 out, chased winner approaching last, not quicken flat
held up towards rear, weakened from 10th, tailed off
Chasing a four-timer Shanballa has really good claims on this Novice Chase but after a really decent victory on his fencing bow last time SEVEN IS MY NUMBER is preferred while Postmaster has plenty to prove after failing to complete his last two starts. Having previously finished second best in a listed handicap hurdle the selection stepped up on all of his form in that sphere with a comfortable success on his first try over the big stuff last time. The step up in trip here looks a good move for a tougher assignment. This is Shanballa's best trip and he was a ready winner on his first start in this sphere as well. Based on their hurdles marks Tim Vaughan's runner has plenty to find with the selection but it could be that this is more his game and we expect a bold bid. Postmaster was bang in form until his last two runs when pulling up then unseating his rider. He was making good progress when he lost his pilot last time so if completing he looks a danger. Matuhi was expected to go better on his first chase run but that effort leaves him with improvement to find to beat Seven Is My Number.
Postmaster 17-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to go 3rd when slipped on landing and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Fairoak Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov stks (4) gf in Aug, 8 ran.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4th, left close 2nd 4 out, shaken up to lead flat, readily, won at Worcester 2m beg chs (4) gd beating Mam Ratagan (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Shanballa (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 7th, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, soon clear, won at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Aug beating Invisible Man (10-7) by 9l, 8 ran.
Hereweareagain (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (tt) gd hdwy 8; wknd app 2 out, 4th of 9, 35l behind Formby (12-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in May.
Marado (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Towards rear, chased leaders after 5th, weakened from 10th, 6th of 13, well behind Good Old Days (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf.
Matuhi 15-8fav (10-12) Led until approaching 2nd, with leader, led 7th to 4 out, remained challenging, upsides when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Histoire De Moeurs (10-0) at Aintree 2m nov stks (4) gd in May.
Midnight Spirit 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Seven Is My Number (11-5) at Worcester 2m beg chs (4) gd, 10 ran.
Mustang Man (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, mistake 5th, 13th of 18, well behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in May.
Oscar Royal (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Soon led, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 8l behind Truckers Delight (11-6) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (3) gf.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 100-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, slow 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, never in contention, 9th of 22, 15l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
