held up, headway on outside approaching 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, no chance when bad mistake last, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 3 out, still going well after next, ridden to chase winner approaching last, ran on well near finish
in touch, headway 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
led 1st, prominent, led again 7th, ridden and headed just after 2 out, weakened last
keen and led after 2nd, headed 7th, ridden after 3 out, still every chance 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last
held up, struggling 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching last, stayed on one pace flat
held up in touch, headway 7th, led just after 2 out, kept on flat, all out
led briefly 2nd, prominent until weakened 6th, tailed off
The Biker won both his starts in comfortable fashion last term and could be anything but does not appear to have been let in lightly on a mark of 127 for his handicap debut and we prefer to side with East Tycoon, who gets the verdict over Calling Brave. The last mentioned is better than he showed in competitive handicaps at the Festival and at Aintree's Grand National meeting last term and cannot be dismissed lightly with the stable of Nicky Henderson in such good form. However, East Tycoon looked a gelding of some potential when winning at Doncaster last term and again at Stratford in March. He missed the Triumph Hurdle and now makes his first appearance over timber since that Stratford success but should strip fitter for a recent run on the flat and is taken to begin making up for lost time. The Biker is an obvious danger but is difficult to evaluate and of more interest could be Peter Bowen's Mr Ed, who showed progressive form on the flat last term and has carried that over to the winter game. The Philip Hobbs-trained Christopher is worthy of a mention but has a long absence to overcome, while Blue Away, who is fit from the flat, looks to be the best of the Irish runners. East Tycoon remains unexposed as a hurdler though and gets the vote.