held up in touch, outpaced approaching 11th
held up, fell 1st
led, blundered 9th, headed and hit 12th, chased leaders, kept on approaching last
always behind, pulled up after 6th, tailed off
always behind
held up towards rear, behind when fell last
chased leader, led 12th, headed 3 out, kept on approaching last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, clear approaching last
A fascinating contest in which PLANET OF SOUND is preferred to Tartak, Ouzbeck, Deep Purple and Chapoturgeon. Phillip Hobbs' gelding ran a terrific race to finish third in the Arkle, finishing just five lengths behind Forpadydeplasterer. Considering he made several jumping mistakes it was a great effort and stepping back up in trip should suit him (give him more time to measure his fences perhaps). If the ground is too quick then it may pay to side with Chapoturgeon. The winner of the Jewson Novices' chase now steps up in class because of the handicappers attentions and this spectacular jumper is an intriguing contender. Calgary Bay has a bit to find with the selection on their Cheltenham run but may be happier now back over this trip (as his trainer has always suggested), whilst Deep Purple is a formidable front-runner on quick ground but he throws in the odd howler and is arguably better over shorter. Ouzbeck made good strides in the Spring and Summer just gone on quick ground to suggest that he isn't done with just yet however it is Planet Of Sound who is nominated.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 8th, still going well before 3 out, no real headway, eased from 2 out, 10th of 17, 25l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, progress into mid-division 5th, tracked leaders 4 out, joined leader after next, pecked 2 out, soon led, ran on strongly, pushed out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Isn't That Lucky (10-7) by 9l, 20 ran.
Deep Purple 4-9fav (11-8) Made all, always travelling smoothly, clear last, easily, won at Hereford 2m nov stks (3) gd in Mar beating Divine Gift (11-4) by 6l, 5 ran.
Gauvain (GER) 33-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, squeezed along from 4 out, headway after 2 out, kept on flat, never troubled leaders, 6th of 17, 10l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Ouzbeck (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 15, 18l behind New Little Bric (10-2) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.
Pertemps Networks 6-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner next, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
Planet of Sound 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, mistake 8th and pushed along, headway approaching 2 out, not pace of front 2 final 100 yards, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Tartak (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, raced keenly, not fluent 1st, headway when squeezed out after 8th, 3rd after 2 out, hit last, not much room on landing, faded flat, 5th of 17, 10l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
