led, jumped left 2nd, soon headed, mistake 4th, well behind 8th, hampered by loose horse 10th, left poor 2nd 11th, left in lead next, left well clear 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 6th to 10th, with leader when fell 11th
held up, mistake 2nd, 10 lengths 3rd when fell 8th
chased leaders, blundered 8th and 9th, soon well behind, left poor 2nd 3 out
led after 2nd, headed 6th, led 10th, left 20 lengths clear 11th, 10 lengths ahead when ducked left on landing, unseated rider 12th, remounted
held up in touch, disputing close 2nd when mistake, unseated rider 5th
held up, behind 8th, mistake 4 out, close 2nd when fell 3 out
In the beginners' chase, Prince Of Persia is selected ahead of Bob Bites Back. The stand-out piece of recent form is Prince Of Persia's third to Le Rochelais at Hereford last time. The drying ground will be very much in his favour today and he looks to be the one to beat. Bob Bites Back, a maiden hurdle winner that showed promise on his chasing debut last time could prove to be his biggest danger. Senior Whim failed to cut the mustard over hurdles, but his career was light in that sphere and he too now tries chasing. Maori Legend also tries chasing now and is from a good jumping family so might improve for the larger obstacles. French import Nils Andersen is one to watch for in the betting, while a repeat of his 2004 hurdling form would give Society Buck claims now that he goes chasing. Overall, though, we will stick with Prince Of Persia.
Maldoun (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Day Of Claies (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Nils Anderson (FR) (10-3) behind Nouveau Maire (10-6) at Enghien 2m 3f ch in Dec, 15 ran.
Prince of Persia 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 4 out, held when mistake last, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Le Rochelais (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Society Buck (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Behind, struggling from 4th, 12th of 16, 44l behind Tora Petcha (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Hampered 2nd, close up, effort 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Thedreamstillalive (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd.
Senior Whim 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Maori Legend 10-1 (11-3) Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 31l behind Wild Tonto (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
