chased leaders, jumped badly right 1st and 2nd, soon lost place, behind 10th, left 18 lenghts 4th 4 out, no impression
prominent, led after 5th, headed next, led 7th until 10th, led after 14th, headed 3 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, hampered 6th, headway 8th, weakened after 10th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden after 14th, left close 2nd 4 out, led next, jumped left and hit 2 out, headed towards finish
pulled hard in touch, not fluent 1st, lost place 7th, weakened approaching 10th, pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, headway 11th, ridden after 13th, left 3rd 4 out, blundered next, soon weakened
prominent, lost place 4th, headway after next, lost place 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 13th
led until after 5th, led next, headed 7th, led 10th, headed after 14th, still every chance when fell 4 out
On official ratings Viper should have this novice chase in the bag with a clear round of jumping, however CALL ME MULLIGAN is still unexposed and has the services of AP McCoy and is the preferred pick, while Tribe is another to throw into the equation. The selection landed a bumper on his race course debut and although winless since he has performed well in defeat. He was not pushed on his chase debut at Bangor last time out and will have benefitted for the experience. With that in mind he is well worth a second look this time around. Viper is a three time winner on the flat and won twice over hurdles for his old trainer Reg Hollinshead. He has been highly tried in the past but has become a touch frustrating to follow in recent months. He disappointed badly after pulling up at Market Rasen last time out and for that reason he ought to be treated with caution. Tribe is rated as high as 125 over hurdles but failed to set the world alight on his chase debut at Stratford last time out and is possibly best watched until he gets his act together. Call Me Mulligan has more ticks in his boxes compared to the majority of his rivals and for that reason he gains the narrow vote.
Boomtown Kat 10-3 (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on gamely from last, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May '09 beating Now Listen To Me (10-12) by ns, 13 ran.
Call Me Mulligan (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, headway 8th, chased leading trio from 10th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 24l behind Jimbatai (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft.
Canon's Corner (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, jumped right at some fences, hit 3rd, headway to 4th at 8th, left 3rd at 15th, no chance with leading duo, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind The Ferbane Man (11-5) at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gf.
Massini Man (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, blundered 9th, lost 2nd before 10th, weakened soon after, tailed off 5 out, pulled up soon after next, in a race won by Jimbatai (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft, 9 ran.
Thumbprint (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, weakened 6th, 8th of 14, well behind Norisan (10-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Tribe 3-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent, headway 7th, chased leader 9th until 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Job One (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in Jun.
Viper 3-1fav (11-9) Led, hit 3rd, headed 7th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Viable (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Will If I Want (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Pulled up, led to 2nd, led 3rd to 7th, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Baddam (11-5) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 13 ran.
