tracked leader until hit 9th, reminders and pushed along approaching 10th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led after 9th, clear 5 out, a length up when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up in touch, mistakes, lost place from 12th, headway after 5 out, left 2nd 4 out, one pace, no impression
led, headed after 9th, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
held up, tracked leaders approaching 10th, left in lead and clear 4 out, kept on
This is a good race with Julius Caesar just getting the call ahead of McElvey, Bushido and Leading Man. Julius Caesar, who was a very good hurdler, made a big impression when winning on his chasing debut, and can follow up here before going on to better things. King Killone, who was upsides him but held in that race when falling at the last, has won since to frank the form. McElvey's resounding win over course and distance last time makes him a massive danger, and the selection will not find things easy, while Bushido, who won from a mark of 120 two runs ago, is also a useful opponent. Leading Man looked a young staying chaser with a future when third to Turpin Green at Carlisle last time, and is respected, as is Red Georgie although, for us, the latter has it to do here. Having formed a good view of him last time, then, Julius Caesar gets the vote.
Bushido (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 15, 32l behind Nathos (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Mckelvey (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway 12f, led 5f out, ridden 2f out, ran on well flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Nov beating Jungle Jinks (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Julius Caesar 9-2 (10-13) Held up, headway 4 out, led when left clear last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov beating Classic Capers (10-11) by 19l, 9 ran.
Red Georgie (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led 2nd, headed 12th, stayed chasing leaders, weakened 3 out, left poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, well behind Church Island (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (B) gs in Nov.
Leading Man (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden 4 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 30l behind Turpin Green (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov.
