led to 2nd, chased winner, led again approaching 4 out, ridden when blundered 3 out, headed 2 out, blundered again last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, pushed along 8th, soon weakened
pulled hard, led 2nd, headed approaching 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, not troubled winner
This is not the strongest looking novice chase and it may fall to Ela Re, Bestofthebrownies and Duke Orsino should prove to be the main stumbling blocks. Sue Smith's seven-year-old was a prolific winner over hurdles and got the hang of this game last time when third to Transit in a better race than this. With further improvement likely he should be capable of taking first prize. Bestofthebrownies is from a top stable and although looking a modest performer so far in his chasing career there is plenty of scope for progression. Duke Orsino has yet to win a race of any kind but did put in agood effort here in November when third to Liberty Ben. if repeating that effort he should be in the shake up. Kentucky Blue is making his chase debut and may need the experience and so that brings us back to Ela Re as the condident choice in a weak race.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, some headway after 4 out, outpaced when hit next, weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Archie Babe (11-4) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Duke Orsino (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 10, 23l behind Fearless Foursome (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Ela Re 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, blundered 7th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Transit (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, eased from last, 6th of 8, well behind Aston Lad (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
Dashing Charm 100-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, soon tracked winner, lost place 8th, hit next, soon struggling, tailed off from 5 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Aces Four (11-6) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
L'Antartique (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked winner to 8th, headway and effort approaching 4 out, ridden and 3 lengths down last, soon no impression, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Royal Rosa (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft.
