held up, headway 9th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
soon in touch, lost place after 8th, behind when mistake 9th and 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
prominent, ridden to chase winner 4 out, soon last, no extra towards finish
in touch, led 12th, ridden when mistake 2 out, stayed on well
in touch, fell 2nd
led to 4th, mistake 6th, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 4th, mistake 6th, headed 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on flat
An interesting beginners' chase with the shortlist containing Rowley Hill and Tighten Your Belt, but the vote goes to Mount Clerigo. Dual bumper and hurdle winner Mount Clerigo is an interesting recruit to the chasing ranks, having achieved a rating of 129 over the smaller obstacles, his victories including a track success. Sent off as favourite for a valuable hurdle on his return, it was no disgrace to finish fourth to the well-handicapped Standin Obligation. Fitness, therefore, will not be an issue and he looks set to go well. Rowley Hill got up to a mark of 120 over hurdles by virtue of winning three on the bounce and he gets a very good mention. The best of Simon's Irish form affords him some thought, while Supreme Toss has won four of her five career starts, including once here, so is respected, although she has a long absence to overcome, as does the very useful Tighten Your Belt, who has not been seen since a very good seventh in the 2004 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle. Finally, Eskimo Pie chased home the well-regarded Wild Cane Ridge on his chasing debut, showing good promise in the process, so is respected too. As we say, it all adds up to a very good event, with the vote given to Mount Clerigo.
Alfie's Sun 9-4 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Thyne For Intersky (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5 out, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, soon no chance, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gs.
Mount Clerigo (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Held up, headway 8th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 24l behind Standin Obligation (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (B) sft in Oct.
Rowley Hill 9-4jt-fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, driven out, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr beating Lease Back (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Simon 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 6th when bad mistake 4 out, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out to go moderate 3rd near finish, 3rd of 18, 20l behind Major Vernon (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl sft in Mar.
Supreme Toss (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, clear approaching last, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (D) hvy in Feb '03 beating Ar Muin Na Muice (10-13) by 14l, 11 ran.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 15, 13l behind Fundamentalist (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar '04.
Merry Storm (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway and mistake 4th, ridden and lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Nite Fox (10-3) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (E) gd in May, 10 ran.
