chased leaders, weakened 7th, in rear when blundered badly 5 out, soon pulled up
chased clear leader until weakened after 5f out
held up in rear, headway 5 out, held in 5th when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, left disputing 2nd 3 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway to chase leader approaching 4 out, fell next
led, soon clear, ridden and headed after last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, left disputing 2nd 3 out, shaken after approaching 2 out, led after last, ridden and ran on well flat
chased leaders, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 5th
Old favourite Milligan looks to have strong claims in this tricky novice event and can beat Parknasilla and Encore Cadoudal. This former top class handicap hurdler has had a tough introduction to chasing. In his first event he took on Quazar and Chauvinist here and was soundly beaten. He did much better next time when a close fourth to Ebinzayd at Catterick. He is the type of horse that will improve with the experience and back over his favoured trip will be hard to beat. Parknasilla also ran with credit on his chase debut at Newcastle, finishing third to the impressive Town Crier. He only tired in the last couple of furlongs and should strip much fitter today. Encore Cadoudal was also making his fencing bow at Hexham last time and finished a promising third to Alam, he should be involved in the finish today. In a very open event Tribal Dispute and Zoffany must also enter calculations, but with possibly a touch of sentiment, Milligan just edges the decision.