raced keenly, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway after 5th, ridden and every chance last, ran on
pulled up, not jumped well, always behind, tailed up when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden and edged right approaching last, all out
held up, fell 6th
prominent to 5th, behind when badly hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led until after 2nd, with leader until blundered 6, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Bernardon, Saint Esteben and Topolm look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and the confident vote goes to Bernardon. The selection was much better than all these rivals over hurdles and won well on his chasing debut when defeating Winter Garden. He is sure to have learnt from the experience and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Saint Esteben rates the main danger on his best form but he was very disappointing behind Chapletown when odds on last time for no apparent reason so can not be backed with any confidence. Topol is another that could go well he is from a top yard but he was well beaten behind Alleged Slave last time and he lacks the scope of the selection. The remainder need to improve on all known form to score and for the winner we return to Bernardon.