mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd next, every chance 2 out, ridden last, found little
always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
always prominent, driven along from 6th, mistake 7th, led flat, ridden out
held up, headway 7th, led 3 out, rider lost irons after last, soon headed, kept on
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, blundered 6th, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up, mistake 5th, behind from next, tailed off
This beginners' chase is up for grabs, and so we will take a chance with Hilltime over the more obvious pick Cherub, with Sakenos and So Brash others to consider. Cherub will probably start a warm order here, given the fact that he has taken on better company over hurdles in the past, and due to the fact that he is trained by Jonjo O'Neill. However, his last victory came in an amateur riders' event two years ago, and he has looked nothing special so far. With that in mind, we feel that it is worth taking a chance with something else at a likely bigger price, and with Richard Tierney able to claim a valuable 7lb off the back of Hilltime, John Wainwright's six-year-old is the pick. Successful at Market Rasen in June, he has been kept in trim with a couple of fair efforts on the Flat, most recently under today's rider, and if he gets his jumping together, may well surprise one or two better fancied rivals with his turn of foot. Sakenos gave a very strange performance on his chase debut at Newton Abbot, as he was a confirmed-front running winner over hurdles, but was allowed to just sulk along at the back. He is surely better than that, and if given his head this time, can make his presence felt. So Brash has won his last two races over hurdles here, but swished his tail last time. Andrew Thornton will show him whose boss again though, and he is another that can go well. It has the makings of an interesting contest for one reason or another, and we shall take a stab with Hilltime.
