chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up in rear but in touch, chased leaders after 3rd, effort 2 out, never able to challenge
led until 2nd, soon chasing leaders, mistake 11th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out
always prominent, hard driven to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner
in rear but in touch, took keen hold, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden and effort 2 out, weakened after last
chased leaders, led 2nd, driven clear after 2 out, ran on well
raced in rear but in touch, jumped slowly throughout, outpaced halfway, headway 5 out, weakened before 2 out
Potentially a very high quality contest and one where we will take a chance on TARABLAZE first time back on the racecourse for 21 months. Philip Hobbs thinks plenty of this gelding who was last seen partnered by Tony McCoy to win a Grade 2 stayers' hurdle at Haydock. The pilot suggested after that he was still a bit green, so considering he scored from a mark of 138 there is bags of potential there now he switches to chasing. The yard took this two years ago and has an excellent 29% strike rate in chases here. McCoy himself partners Alfie Sherrin, who also sees out three miles over hurdles and was rated in the 140s in that sphere. If he is straight enough he is a threat, along with Wymott, who won that same Haydock race this year but would have a bit to find if our pick is fit and firing. In a fascinating race, Silver Kate is another potentially exciting recruit to these ranks and Pearlysteps can improve now jumping the bigger obstacles.
Alexander Beetle 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Vincitore (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Alfie Sherrin 11-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, effort next, weakened before last, 12th of 24, 21l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Forever Emo (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Jumped right and hung right throughout, chased winner until went right 8th, stayed in 4th until dropped to last 11th, soon outpaced, tailed off, last of 5, 40l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Pearlysteps 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 13, 12l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
Tarablaze (IRE) 1-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, driven out, won at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb '09 beating Thetwincamdrift (11-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Wymott (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Prominent, not fluent 6th, joined leader 4 out, led approaching next, stayed on well from last, won at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Wayward Prince (11-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Silver Kate (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, in touch when not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 19, 43l behind Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
