jumped left, tracked leader, jumped big 1st, joined leader 8th, slightly hampered when left in lead 9th, headed 4 out, ridden and every chance when fell 2 out
held up, left 2nd, hampered 9th, lost place next, ridden 14th, left 2nd and 4 lengths down when mistake 2 out, eased when beaten flat
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, jumped slowly 6th and 7th, close 3rd when badly hampered and unseated rider 9th
held up, slightly hampered 9th, went 2nd next, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
made most until fell 9th
Good Man Again,Seaniethesmuggler and High Gear are three against the field in this tight novices chase and the narrow vote is given to Good Man Again. The selection won well last time out when beating Althrey Dandy and although he has a penalty for that win he won with a little in hand and under similar conditions here he is taken to defy the handicapper. Seaniethesmuggler rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Ultimate Limit last time but he looks vulnerable off this mark. High Gear is another that could go well on his best form but he continues to be let down by his jumping and is hard to win with so he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder Astronaut is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and first time cheek pieces will have to bring about some improvement if he is to score. This a trappy affair but something has to win and for the winner we return to Good Man Again.
Good Man Again (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, led last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (E) gf in Jun beating Althrey Dandy (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, wandered approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Ultimate Limit (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jun.
High Gear (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped left 9th, led 12th to 16th, soon hard ridden, went 2nd and 7 lengths down when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Nick Junior (11-2) at Southwell 3m 2f mdn chs (E) gd, 12 ran.
Super Road Train 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 9th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 47l behind Fu Fighter (11-0) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd.
Cedar Chief 50-1 (10-5) Led 2nd, hit 10th, headed and mistake 11th, weakening when mistake 12th, not fluent after, 3rd of 6, 28l behind It's Definite (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf.
Astronaut 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, headway and mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, eased and lost place towards finish, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Idlewild (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gf in Jun.
