led, blundered 2 out, soon ridden, headed close home, no extra
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 4 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 3 out, no extra flat
in touch, pushed along 11th, outpaced 4 out, headway under pressure 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead close home
mid-division, headway when not fluent 8th, outpaced 4 out, brief effort approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, mistake 7th, pushed along 9th, soon outpaced
race keen in touch, headway and effort after 4 out, mistaken 3 out, no extra from 2 out
with leader, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, headway to join leader 8th, weakened after 4 out
in touch, pushed along 9th, soon outpaced
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 10th
Deep Water showed signs of coming to hand last time and is worth chancing here, with Noshinannikin and Imaginaire other fancied contenders. Deep Water ran really well at Wetherby three weeks ago when narrowly beaten by Cruise Leader, and should now be spot on. Prior to that effort he had endured a six-week break after flopping at Market Rasen, so there was probably something amiss. Do not forget that this horse was at one time considered Champion Hurdle class by connections, and although never managing to hit those heights over hurdles, is a more than capable chaser when things go right for him. Noshinannikin has joint topweight and ran well after a break on his first start for Sue Smith at Doncaster in December. That was over hurdles but he is sure to be placed to good effect over the bigger obstacles this term. Imaginaire was found wanting for pace when touched off at Chepstow last time and will appreciate the step back up in trip. He will be bang in there at the finish no doubt, but the Mary Reveley duo, October Mist and Hunters Creek, have yet to impress this season. Therefore, a chance is taken on Deep Water to go one better.
