led until approaching 6th, chased leader, reminders after 7th, driven and lost 2nd after 10th, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 6th, hit 9th, just over 2 lengths ahead when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
soon chasing leaders, went 3rd 3rd, went 2nd after 10th, not fluent and hampered 4 out, challenging under strong pressure after 2 out, beaten when hit last
in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not fluent, chased leaders, jumped right 2nd, ridden after 10th, hampered 4 out, soon struggling, 9 lengths 4th when fell 2 out
pulled hard, in rear, headway 4 out, soon went 3rd, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 4th, left in lead 4 out, clear approaching last, ran on well
This looks a very intriguing Novices' Chase in which the main protagonists may be HARPER VALLEY, Donaldson, Font and Rien A Perdre; narrow preference is for Lucy Wadham's Harper Valley. The selection makes his chasing debut this afternoon, and if he transfers his hurdling ability (rated 140) to the bigger obstacles then he must go close. The former Gordon Elliot inmate should get ideal underfoot conditions and can make a winning debut. Already successful over fences are Rien A Perdre, Donaldson and Font. The latter was also a good hurdler and the form of his win at Haydock has been franked, whilst Donaldson's Towcester win looks solid although this different track may test his mettle. Rien A Perdre has a double penalty for wins at both Newton Abbott and Cheltenham in Hunter Chases, and he may struggle to concede weight to all of his talented rivals. Martys Mission is the fifth horse to consider, as Richard Rowe's son of Zaffaran was not disgraced on his chasing debut behind Tchico Polos at Fontwell and he should appreciate this step up in trip. A fascinating contest in all, with the vote going to Harper Valley.
Rien A Perdre (FR) 4-5fav (11-8) Made all, jumped left 1st, pressed 3 out, edged left after last, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd beating Reflector (11-8) by 6l, 13 ran.
Donaldson (GER) 7-4fav (11-0) Mostly 2nd until led after 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m 3f beg chase (4) gd in Apr beating Arctic Shadow (10-11) by 12l, 6 ran.
Font 11-4fav (11-0) Held up on outside, headway and in touch 9th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f beg chase (3) gd beating Black Beauty (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bold Policy (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear and keen, headway 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 7, 21l behind King Troy (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov stks (4) gs.
Harper Valley (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 19th of 24, well behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd.
Kayceecee (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led 4th, headed 7th, led briefly approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 34l behind Dishdasha (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nov stks (3) gd in Apr.
Martys Mission (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd after 7th, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Tchico Polos (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) gf.
Roseville (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Disputed distant 4th from 9th, left remote 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 5, dis behind Seymour Weld (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov stks (2) gd in Apr.
