prominent, ridden and headway to chase leaders after 4 out, close 2nd when fell 3 out
in touch, hit 6th, mistake 11th, ridden 13th, lost place 4 out, left distant 2nd 3 out
pulled early, disputed lead 2nd to 4th, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, close up when fell 3 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, close 4th, held when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out
made all, mistake 11th, left clear 3 out, unchallenged
A small field for this beginners' chase and a potentially trappy contest with not too much between Pur De Sivola, Sobers and Gods Token on their hurdles ratings, but we will side with Pur De Sivola. Alan King's runners are in cracking form and this four-year-old gets the weight-for-age allowance and also has a run under his belt, from which the assessor has rated him 125. If this is correct then he has a great chance at these weights over a trip that he can stay. Sobers tied up close home on soft ground at Chepstow last time. That was over a similar trip to this but after two runs this season he should now be fully wound up for a tilt here and can go close. Gods Token was the best of these over hurdles and is another from an in-form yard. He would ideally prefer better ground but is very muc respected on his chasing debut. Jimboreal has a few pounds to find but he does like to get his toe in and is certainly not ruled out, but preference is for Pur De Sivola.
Gods Token 33-1 (10-9) Held up in touch and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well from last, just failed, 2nd of 22, hd behind Two Miles West (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Mayeul (FR) 50-1 (11-5) Prominent until ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Bernard (9-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Sobers (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to lead 3 out, driven between last 2, headed last, one pace and no impression on winner when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 19, 2l behind Mendo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Jimboreal (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Held up, improved to chase winner 10th, ridden 3 out, effort approaching last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Soulard (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Tracked leaders, jumped right from 8th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Marodima (10-10) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
