held up in last pair, lost touch 12th, mistake next, no impression
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 7th, challenged 12th, led after 14th, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in last pair, went 4th after 9th, hit 11th, ridden after 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden next, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, jumped right, stumbled slightly 1st, dived at 4th, led 6th, headed after 14th, beaten 2 out, weakened last
led until 6th, 5th after 9th, behind 12th
A hurdles winner here last year, Chesapeake makes his chasing debut on his return to action and should go close if taking to the larger obstacles. However, the less exposed VICO isn't far behind him on hurdle ratings and, given he's a half-brother to a winning chaser, Paul Nicholls' charge gets the vote to score on his first start over fences. Stage Acclaim is not out of this on his chasing bow and it would be no surprise to see Bell Harbour improve now fencing for the first time.
Bell Harbour (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, outpaced 9th, no chance when left remote 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 4, 49l behind Stonethrower (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f nh nov hdl (3) gf in May.
Chesapeake (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) With winner, led 3rd until not fluent 7th, every chance when edged left and ridden 3 out, beaten next, eased flat, 2nd of 5, 20l behind E Major (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Grand Fella (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up in 4th, took keen hold, mistake 4th, blundered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Horsford (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in May, 4 ran.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Kylenoe Fairy (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Vico (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never on terms, weakened before last, 9th of 14, 24l behind Paint The Clouds (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Baile Phadraig (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, took keen hold, headway 2nd, led 4th until after next, hit 7th, mistake 15th, weakened 4 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 5, well behind Ambrose Princess (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chase (5) gd in May.
