chased leader, hard ridden to lead when mistake 2 out, soon headed and hung right, mistake last, no extra
close up, hit 3 out, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, just held on, all out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
keen behind leaders, mistake 5th, lost action and pulled up before next
held up, hit 3rd and 4th, tracked leaders 2 out, shaken up and ran on strongly flat, just failed
Golden Alchemist could be a force to be reckoned with now in easier company and despite his double penalty, Mark Usher's gelding can get the head back in front; Classic Gold can chase him home. The selection was impressive when winning his first two outings this season and already looks more of a force over jumps than on the flat where he was winless in 20 starts. He is at home on quick ground and with the slight drop in trip not expected to pose any troubles, he looks the one to beat. Classic Gold was eleven lengths behind the selection when they tackled tough company at Cheltenham and with no pull in the weights, he will need to improve if he is to trouble the judge today. Dik Dik returns from an absence but has shown very little and is easy to pass over, whilst Boot 'n Toot may be a more obvious danger. He ran well on his hurdling debut and then unseated his rider next time up. That was early in the race and he cannot be ruled out if his jumping improves slightly. At a price Timynomates could run well on his hurdling debut, however Golden Alchemist is given the confident vote.
Golden Alchemist 20-1 (11-4) Held up, driven after 4 out, weakening when blundered next, 11th of 14, 23l behind Platin Grounds (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Classic Gold (GER) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, hit 3rd and 5th, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 34l behind Platin Grounds (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Dik Dik 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, pecked 3rd, well behind from 4th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Osprey View (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Smokey The Bear 33-1 (11-0) Never beyond mid-division, 8th of 14, 34l behind Rapid Increase (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Timynomates (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 18l behind Khumbu (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Boot 'n Toot 9-4 (10-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Owlesbury Dream (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf, 13 ran.
