held up, pecked 6th, closing on leaders when mistake 8th, left clear 2nd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no further impression on winner
hit 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when left 4th 4 out
led until 5th, chased winner until 8th, mistake next, soon weakened, left 3rd 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until fell 4 out
prominent, led 5th, clear 10th, comfortably
pecked 3rd, lost touch 5th, pecked 8th, pulled up before 10th
This looks like an open and not necessarily high quality Beginners' Chase. Narrow preference is for TAMADOT over Special Envoy. Philip Hobbs' gelding comes into the race on the back of a fair third behind Hennessy at Folkestone. Whilst that form doesn't look anything out of the ordinary, it was still a pleasing first try over fences and the drop in trip today is expected to suit. He wasn't the best of these over hurdles but chasing was probably always the main plan for this former point-to-point winner and this son of Supreme Leader can oblige this afternoon. Special Envoy was by far the best over hurdles; rated in the 150's, he was perhaps unlucky on more than one occasion not to add to his career win total of five. He has his first start for Nigel Twiston-Davies today (same ownership) and whilst the yard are in the doldrums, he must command respect today despite the fact that the drop in trip is against him. Muhtenbar has the sort of profile that must have connections pulling their hair out. He is now winless in 18 starts over fences and it may be a better idea to send him back hurdling where has at least won a race. Moon Bear returns from nearly two years off, and so a more obvious player could be Luxurix. This former Paul Webber inmate has his first run over fences today and he may be the type to improve for the bigger obstacles. However he still has stamina for this trip to prove, and so it is Tamadot who we return to for the nomination.
Luxurix (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Raced wide, in touch, ridden apparoaching 3 out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 23l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Moon Bear 6-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 3 out, 3rd of 12, 32l behind Little Ed (12-0) at Ideford Arch 3m ptp gd in Dec '07.
Muhtenbar 11-1 (11-2) fell in race won by Pretty Star (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Special Envoy (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Led until after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 5, 49l behind Kicks For Free (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Oct.
Tamadot (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, led 8th, ridden before 2 out, mistake and headed last, no impression flat, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Hennessy (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd.
Flag Flier 100-1 (10-0) In touch until 3rd, soon behind, 9th of 16, well behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
