chased leader, headway 9th, led on bit approaching 3 out, quickened clear 2 out, easily
led and not fluent throughout, soon clear, ridden after 9th, headed approaching 3 out, beaten when fell 3 out
jumped slowly and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, outpaced 6th to 9th, headway 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, ran on but no chance with winner
held up last and jumped left throughout, mistake 7th, hit 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
A very good start to a fine day of racing at the track, and this Grade 2 novices' chase can go to Le Seychellois, with Kadount and Dempsey rated as his biggest dangers. There is not too much wrong with Kadount's overall form. He has met some good ones when defeated and he travelled well for a long way on heavy going last time when an eight-and-a-half lengths fourth to My Will in a Graded contest at Uttoxeter. The winner's trainer there, Paul Nicholls, runs Le Seychellois here, a winner in France and at Warwick before coming down at the first in a Graded race at Sandown last time. Expect better today. Locksmith has not done too much wrong to date, but this is his toughest test yet, while Roofing Spirit looks out of his depth. Dempsey, though, could be interesting as, formerly a useful hurdler, he looked to be getting his act together over fences at Ludlow last time and rates an interesting contender today. However, for the winner, we will stick with Le Seychellois.
Kadount (FR) 4-1 Chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 9l behind My Will at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Locksmith 9-4fav With leader, mistake 4th, led next, clear 7th, easily, won at Doncaster 2m nov chs (B) gd in Jan beating Minouchka by 12l, 6 ran.
Dempsey (IRE) 4-1 Soon with leader, not fluent 5th, led 8th, mistake 3 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gs in Jan beating Indien Royal by 9l, 8 ran.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 11-10fav Held up, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, outpaced from 2 out, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind My Galliano at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jan.
Le Seychellois (FR) 5-1 Fell 1st in race won by Contraband at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec, 5 ran.