tracked leaders, blundered 4th, jumped slow 5th, soon trailing front pair, no chance from 4 out
made all, unchallenged, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well
tracked winner, ridden, brief effort after 3 out, weakening when mistake last
Ragdale Hall can land this novices' chase, with Niagara viewed as his biggest danger. The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old has won both of his chases to date, most recently a strongly-run event at Perth, where he jumped better than on his chasing debut. Rated around the 120 mark over hurdles, he clearly is the one to beat, even with a seven-pound amateur - who is sure to be a good rider - taking over from stable jockey Richard Johnson. Orlando Sunrise won at Worcester in August but came unstuck back at the same track a month later. However, the balance of her form is modest. Polish Pilot won a modest Market Rasen handicap chase very comfortably in May but was well held at Southwell on his next run from a mark of 76. The best of Niagara's hurdling form earned him a rating in the low 100s and he took well to the larger obstacles when winning at Plumpton on his debut in that sphere. That was on good to firm, so he'll handle the going, over a half-mile further trip. However, Towcester is a lot stiffer as a venue than Plumpton so the trip alone would not be reason for defeat if it comes. If it comes, it should be at the hands of the more-experienced chaser and higher-rated hurdler, Ragdale Hall, who gets our vote.
