chased leaders, hit 2nd, hit 4 out, soon ridden, disputing 3rd when unseated rider last
held up in touch, ridden 8th, soon lost place
led, blundered 2nd, headed 6th, weakened from 3 out
held up in rear, jumped slowly 4th, hit 4 out, good headway to chase winner approaching last, no impression
tracked leader, led 6th, clear from 2 out
If hurdles form is any yardstick then TATENEN looks to have an outstanding chance at these weights, while Striking Article should make a good race of it. Tatenen has what appears to be an essential bit of cut in the ground and of course gets the weight-for-age allowance here. Sure to have been well schooled, the Paul Nicholls inmate can make a winning chase debut. Striking Article respresents the in-form Howard Johnson stable and destroyed an ordinary field at Hexham earlier in the month, his first start in this sphere. Conditiions suit and with that experience to call upon he is much respected. Dreamy Gent has plenty of chasing experience under his belt and would probably have enjoyed a second win over fences last time if not for falling at the last. Orpen Wide and The Duke's Speech look a little short on class and Tatenen is taken to score.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Led and disputed, in front 5th, clear 2 out, over 2L up when fell at the last in race won by Kalderon (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs Grd 3 gs in Sept, 7 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders when fell at the 3rd in race won by Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd, 10 ran.
Striking Article (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) Made all, drew clear from 7th easily, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (5) sft beating The Shy Man (11-3) by 28l, 7 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Astarador (11-3) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Tatenen (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Led until 4th, with winner, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 28l behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
