tracked leaders, lost place after 10th, soon outpaced, left moderate 3rd 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, 4th and outpaced when pulled up before 4 out, dismounted
tracked leader, driven and 2 lengths down when fell 4 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, 2 lengths clear last, no extra flat, headed post
jumped right throughout, in rear, reminders 6th, soon lost touch, left distant 4th 4 out
held up, driven and headway to chase leading pair after 10th, left clear 2nd 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on under pressure flat, led post
mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when blundered and unseated rider next
BLOSSOM HOUSE can land the prize in this handicap chase and he is nominated over Breakwater House and Pistol Basc. The selection was a winner last time at Uttoxeter over hurdles and although he is best on fast ground, he will handle a little bit of cut. He has always shaped as though he will make into a decent chaser and he gets his opportunity to prove that here today. Breakwater House unseated his rider on his chasing debut at Kelso last month but he has got winning form over hurdles and it is far too early to be writing him off. Pistol Basc has yet to get his head in front over the chase fences but he has been placed four times and he has run well on his recent two visits to this venue. Darina's Boy is another who has gone well here in the past and any further rain would be a big plus for him. However, there should be more to come from Blossom Hill now that he is sent chasing and he gets the pick.
Darina's Boy 9-1 (10-12) Led from 2nd, to 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Chabrimal Minster (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp ch 0-125 (3) sft in May, 12 ran.
Breakwater House (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Waterski (10-4) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Kentmere (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) With winner, led 7th to 11th, 4th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked winner, lost place 4 out, outpaced next, soon ridden, rallied last, stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Duke of Malfi (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Naval Attache 22-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, held up, headway and in touch 3rd, outpaced 11th, 4th and no impression when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Garleton (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Pistol Basc (FR) 4-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway in to 4th at 10th, going well approaching 4 out, ever chance when blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out, left 3rd and slightly hampered last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Dawn Ride (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) In rear, hit 5th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 14, 17l behind Freedom Flying (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Blossom King (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, challenged last, led 2f out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep beating Classic Fly (11-0) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Avoine (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Soon chasing leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 27l behind Tarvini (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
