held up in last pair, chased leaders before 4 out, soon one pace, no impression from next
pressed leader, led 3rd, not fluent next, switched to race wide 6th, headed after 5 out, led again 3 out, went right next, soon ridden, headed before last, no extra flat
held up in last pair, blundered and almost unseated rider 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, switched wide before 5 out, 3rd and driven when switched towards inside 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, asserted clear flat
led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again after 5 out, headed 3 out, switched outside when carried right next, soon one pace, no impression with front pair before last
NonRunner
NonRunner
Only two of these have chasing experience but this is a potentially-informative beginners’ chase featuring several who are capable of going on to bigger and better things. First Flow managed just one run last season over hurdles but travelled strongly for a long way. He has won a Grade 2 and loves soft ground so a big run is anticipated here as he looks every inch a chaser. Western Ryder made mistakes at Sedgefield last month but that will have taught him plenty and he should be winning soon. Summerville Boy was a bit disappointing over the smaller obstacles last season considering he’d won the Supreme Novices’ the season before. He has the potential to go the top over fences but the same can be said of THOMAS DARBY. Considering he pulled up lame, he ran a cracker to finish second in this year’s Supreme Novices’ and connections will already be targeting the Arkle at the Festival in March.
Captain Moirette (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd and normal 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11 1/4l behind Antunes (10-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Financier 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hampered over 3f out, kept on, 5th of 16, 16 1/2l behind One Touch (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Apr.
First Flow (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, chased clear leader on long run after 3 out, closer when lost 2nd before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened last, 5th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Malaya (10-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
River Bray (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Raced wide, led, went clear 4 out until before next, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Speed Company (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake at 2nd, 5th at halfway, ridden in 6th 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Buveur D'Air (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Western Ryder (IRE) 6-5 (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 5, 24 3/4l behind Windsor Avenue (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) sft in Oct.
Mon Port (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Led, not fluent and novicey at times, headed after 3 out, readily outpaced by easy winner between last 2, lost 2nd and weakened approaching last, 3rd of 4, 31l behind Caius Marcius (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m (4) gd in May.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Held up behind, mistake 4th, headway on outside 3 out, driven to chase leaders turning in, went 2nd soon after last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Klassical Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
