mistakes, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
tracked winner, driven and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, lost place 10th, under pressure when blundered and unseated rider next
in rear, lost touch 14th, well behind when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on, under pressure flat
tracking leaders when fell 4th
in touch, headway 4 out, mistake 2 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2, kept on
held up in touch, headway 4 out, effort next, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out
This is probably the best renewal of the Charlie Hall for over a decade, and we could pick a few of these and still not come up with the winner. However, Keen Leader left a good impression at Chepstow recently and we'll take him to score from Grey Abbey, Ollie Magern and Kingscliff. The selection loves to get his toe in and this trip is just about his optimum. Jonjo O'Neill always said that this was one of his favourite three courses to ride, and he loves training winners here. He can take his first Charlie Hall with a horse he describes as a 'machine'. Grey Abbey has made spectacular progress in his advancing years, and was almost retired in the spring. He won this last year and is Britain's highest-rated staying chaser, so we have the ultimate respect for him on ground he loves. However, Howard Johnson's yard is not is as good form as Jonjo's, and he is officially 1lb worse off than he would be in a handicap, so he is just opposed. Ollie Magern comes from a yard going well and is perhaps the one in this race carrying the tag of 'young pretender'. He is by Alderbrook, and although he acts on dead ground he may not be quite as effective on genuine soft ground, and anyway he has a very tough task on official ratings, even with anticipated improvement to come. Kingscliff is perhaps more interesting. He is very lightly raced, acts with cut and can go well when fresh. If he is over his ailments from last season then he could go very well, but he has a bit to prove and his yard is not in red hot form either. But the O'Neill runners are going well and Keen Leader can take this valuable prize.
Chives (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 19th, tailed off, 9th of 20, well behind Joes Edge (9-11) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Apr.
Grey Abbey (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Jumped well, made all, stayed on strongly from 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr beating First Gold (11-2) by 12l, 8 ran.
Colourful Life (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) In touch, ridden 4 out, hung left from 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind I Hear Thunder (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd.
Joes Edge (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 4 out, 4th after 3 out, 3rd travelling well approaching next, soon ridden, 2nd and kept on well from last, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Pay It Forward (10-5) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov hcp chs sft in Apr.
Ollie Magern 4-1 (11-7) Led, joined 2 out, kept on well under pressure until headed and not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind It Takes Time (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Feb.
Keen Leader (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 7th to chase leader, every chance 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 29l behind Standin Obligation (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (B) sft.
Kingscliff (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Close up in 3rd, slight mistake 9th, led after next, ridden and headed 4 out, bad mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Kicking King (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs Grd 1 sft in Apr.
