held up, hampered 2nd, mistake 6th, hit 13th soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
fell 2nd
held up in touch, hit 10th and reminders, jumped slowly 14th, weakened after next
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, 6 lengths down last, quickened smartly flat to lead close home
held up in touch, mistake 11th, weakened 14th
led to 2nd, prominent, led after 13th, drew clear after 3 out, still 6 lengths ahead last, stayed on but headed close home
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, lost place next, jumped slowly eighth, jumped right 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
chased leaders, led 7th, headed after 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
Rowley Hill gets the call here ahead of Royal Corrouge and Woodlands Genpower. It was disappointing to see decent hurdler Rowley Hill fall on his chasing debut but, we are prepared to forgive this likeable type that effort and he can go well in a modest beginners' chase. Multiple point-to-point winner Royal Corrouge is of huge interest from the Nicky Henderson stable. Dual handicap hurdle winner Sungates is of some interest, while Woodlands Genpower looked like a horse to follow after scoring at Towcester last season, but things went a little awry afterwards. Bobalong has disappointed since his Chepstow hurdles win in January 2004. Fantastic Champion earned a rating in the 120s over hurdles but has not looked so good yet over fences. Ferimon was of a similar level over hurdles and will need to build on his chasing debut to feature, but Hughie Morrison's hurdling winner Kingsbay has to be given some consideration. Overall, though, we will side Rowley Hill.
Ferimon 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, blundered 13th and 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 14, well behind Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Nov.
Jolejoker 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 35l behind Red Georgie (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (D) sft in Oct.
Rowley Hill 10-3 (11-0) In touch when fell at the 2nd in race won by Mount Clerigo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Royal Corrouge (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) won at Corbridge 3m ptp gd in Mar '03 beating Don Carlos (12-5) by 15l, 13 ran.
Sungates (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In touch, stumbled 6th, weakened 9th, lost touch when pulled up 3 out in race won by Altitude Dancer (9-8) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May, 13 ran.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Led 2nd to 7th, led again 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Overserved (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Nov.
Kings Bay 12-1 (11-4) Always behind, mistake 4th, soon tailed off, 7th of 11, 34l behind Motcombe (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (D) gd in Nov.
Fantastic Champion (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened from 6th, 6th of 12, 43l behind Jorobaden (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Oct.
