chased leader, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, led soon after last, driven out
held up, took closer order after 5th, 4th when blundered 7th, hit next, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, half length advantage when blundered last, soon headed and no extra
held up behind leading pair, hit 7th, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on to go 2nd close home
always in rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off
This beginners' chase looks quite trappy and the leading lights are Predicament, Houlihans Free and Conroy with the vote given to Conroy. The selection showed plenty of promise on his chasing bow when he finished second behind Rooster's Reunion at Ludlow. That was a sound effort and with that experience under his belt he looks to hold really solid claims. Predicament rates the main danger as he was a fair third behind Cossack Dancer on his chasing debut at Ludlow back in March. He often travels well in his races but does not find a great deal for pressure and for that reason we will take him on today. Houlihans Free was well beaten when finishing third behind Latin Queen last time and he is dropped in trip today and with the benefit of the experience from that recent outing he is not without a chance. Imperial Rocket caught the eye with a fluent round of jumping at Wincanton last time when third behind Made In Montot. He is another with sound claims, but for the winner we will stick with Conroy.
Goldbrook 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after next, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 28l behind No Way Back (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) frm.
Houlihans Free (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, effort approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Latin Queen (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) frm.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Made In Montot (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Predicament 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance from 4 out, hit last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Cossack Dancer (11-2) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Lincoln Leader (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Not fluent in rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Chilling Place (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs, 8 ran.
Simiola 50-1 (10-6) Held up, lost touch with leaders from 9th, 5th of 10, 24l behind Cossack Dancer (11-2) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Conroy 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon hung right, headed last, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rooster's Reunion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gf in Oct.
West End Wonder (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 4th, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
