led narrowly to 8th, led again next, joined approaching 4 out, driven and headed next, soon outpaced in 3rd, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up 4th and last, reminders and struggling 9th, lost touch 12th, no chance when jumped right 14th, continued tailed off
tracked leading pair, challenged between horses before 4 out, led next, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
with leader, led 8th to next, tracked leader, not fluent 11th, challenged approaching 4 out, outpaced when hit next and 2 out, no chance with winner before last, held on for 2nd flat
Only four runners face the starter here but the outcome is far from cut and dried. Cross Kennon had the highest rating of the quartet over hurdles but was very novicey on his chasing debut at Carlisle and isn't very big so we'll give another chance to GOLDEN CHIEFTAIN. A grand chasing type, he was just beginning to get competitive when falling at Exeter earlier this month and still has time on his side. Court Of Surprise won on his hurdles debut a year ago and should relish this first try over 3m, while Jetnova had some decent hurdles form last term though was held when falling on his fencing bow at Wincanton.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Prominent, mistakes 6th and 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Radetsky March (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cross Kennon (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along 10th, outpaced 12th, 5th of 6, 47l behind Sarando (11-7) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) gs.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Held up in mid-division, jumped left 3rd, headway 12th, every chance when fell 4 out, in a race won by Connak (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) gs, 9 ran.
Jetnova (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, jumped left 4th, outpaced by leading trio 12th, hard pressed for well beaten 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Silviniaco Conti (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs, 6 ran.
