in touch, raced keenly, switched right after 4 out, jumped right 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
jumped right, led until after 3rd, chased leader, every chance 4 out, weakened last
held up in rear, weakened 4 out, mistake 2 out
pulled hard until led after 3rd, ridden when not fluent last, driven out
chased leader until after 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened 4 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This should be a competitive handicap in which JUST LIKE THAT is taken to get the better of Early Wings and Sea Robber. The Evan Williams trained selection is still a maiden over jumps, but has looked a progressive sort so far this year and is hitting some decent form. A repeat of his last outing, (where he finished runner up behind an inform gelding), should see him take the honours here. Early Wings showed some promise on his chase debut at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago, and ran with credit at Towcester last time where he showed no signs of weakening towards the end of the 17f. He's made the minors at the last couple of attempts and we expect the same here. Sea Robber contested a hot beginner's chase two starts ago and looked much more comfortable taking a huge drop in grade for his handicap debut last time. He applied pressure to the winner a long way out and then rallied quite well when it looked like he might fade. This form is only modest but it does represent a first step in the right direction. Safe Investment looks best of the remainder. He ran a decent race on his chasing debut, finishing on the heels of the principals. He has been in good heart over hurdles and may have improved for the switch to fences. Our selection goes the way of the progressive, Just Like That.
Safe Investment (USA) 20-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 8th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Sendani (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf in May.
Early Wings (GER) 5-1fav (11-4) In touch, lost place 3rd, headway from 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, stayed on flat, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Red Jester (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
King Among Queens 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, fell 1st, in a race won by It's Bertie (11-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in May, 9 ran.
New Rackheath (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on, always held by winner, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Come Out Firing (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Sea Robber (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, joined winner 3 out until next, stayed on to regain 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Folie A Deux (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Pagan Sword 12-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 9th, weakening when hit 3 out, 7th of 15, 25l behind Young Tot (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Just Like That 8-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway under pressure 4 out, one pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Picky 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 8th, 7th of 8, well behind La Pantera Rosa (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd 4th until next, slightly hampered 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied approaching last, hung right flat, ran on just held, 2nd of 17, hd behind Bundle Up (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Paperchaser 15-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 5th, blundered next, chased leaders 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind It's Bertie (11-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in May.
Kenwyn 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, no further impression from next, 6th of 14, 26l behind Weststern (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Working Late 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 15, 9l behind Quiditch D'ouxy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.