led and pulled hard, clear 3rd, mistake 6th, headed after 7th, ran out next
held up in rear, ridden after 11th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, joined winner after 7th, weakened after 3 out
A poor turn out for this novice chase and we will side with Oulton Broad, with Pequenita and Six Of One the only apparent dangers. When winning over course and distance last time, Frank Jordan's nine-year-old had pricked his ears into the last thinking about stopping and remains an old character who may or may not reproduce his best. However he had looked beaten starting up the steep hill, but then nipped through inside his toiling rivals to kick clear. If he repeats that effort he will be hard to beat today. Selling hurdle winner Pequenita made a promising chase debut last time and looks sure to go close against this similar type of opposition. Six Of One chased home Durlston Boy in a better race than this at Sandown in March, and a reproduction of that effort would see him right in the thick of things. The other two runners make no appeal and so, although he is dodgy character, Oulton Broad looks the best option.
Just Bryan 100-1 Held up in touch, ridden after 6th, weakening when hit 7th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Titian Flame at Hereford 2m 3f mdn clm hdl (F) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Oulton Broad 13-8 Held up in touch, chased leader after 10th, not fluent 11th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (E) gf in Apr beating The Bar Maid by 19l, 5 ran.
Padamul 40-1 In rear and mistake 1st, lost touch 6th, 7th of 13, 45l behind Apadi at Worcester 2m chs 0-90 (F) gf in Apr.
Pequenita 7-1 In touch, took closer order 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Dangerousdanmagru at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy.
Six of One 8-1 Chased clear leading pair, mistake 7th, blundered and lost 3rd next, soon tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Full House at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
