held up, hit 2nd, went 3rd at 5th, left 2nd 7th, led and went right last, very easily
held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 5th
held up behind leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden when left 3rd 3 out, blundered next, weakening when fell last
tracked leader until blundered badly and dropped rear 7th, never fully recovered, left 3rd 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
close up, 5 lengths 3rd when fell 3 out
Desert Quest is of interest on his chasing debut with good ground ideal, and so he gets the vote ahead of Contra Mundum. The trainer of the selection, Paul Nicholls, has himself said that he is unsure how good a chaser he will make but he has found a weak race in which to find out. He was a classy hurdler and with the opposition seemingly not up to much today, a win should be forthcoming. If he doesn't jump the obstacles then it may be Contra Mundum. Although comfortably held on hurdles form, Brendan Powell's gelding could make up into a better chaser and as a four-year-old he gets a handy weight-for-age allowance. Josear showed some promise on his recent chasing debut and should improve for that experience, whilst Triggernometry is unexposed and chasing is more likely to be his game. This is a good opportunity though for Desert Quest to make a winning start over fences.
Desert Quest (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up, some late progress, never a factor, 16th of 28, 16l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Gotontheluckyone (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led briefly 3rd, led 6th, headed approaching 7th, faded, 5th of 13, 20l behind Mickey Pearce (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov sll hdl (5) gd in Mar '06.
Josear 20-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, prominent, led 2nd to 7th, led again 8th, headed after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 9l behind Something Wells (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Perfect Storm 7-2 (10-11) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Count Kristo (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) gd, 9 ran.
Triggernometry 100-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened after next, 10th of 20, 21l behind Kia Kaha (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Contra Mundum (USA) 8-1 (11-0) Led, jumped left from 3rd, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened after, 6th of 7, 34l behind Rajam (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
