chased leaders, driven when slightly hampered 3 out, weakened approaching next
led after 1st to 3rd, chased leader, hit 5th, closing on leader when lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd and held when pecked last
mistakes, led to after 1st, stayed prominent in chasing group, hit 4 out, disputing 3rd when blundered 3 out and weakened
3rd when unseated rider 1st
always last, tailed off 6th
held up, steady headway from 3 out, closing and 2nd when pecked 2 out, stayed on approaching last, driven and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
pulled hard, held up, headway to lead 3rd, clear 5th, hit 3 out, still 3 lengths clear last, weakened run in and headed final 100 yards
Not a bad novices' chase where Marodima, Mange Tout, Enlightenment and Templer are all considered and the vote goes to Enlightenment. Evan Williams' gelding look pretty good when scoring at Stratford last month and he does handle good to soft. This is his first try at the track, and provided he handles the undulations then the stiff finish should be in his favour and he looks a potential improver. Marodima makes his chasing debut and was as good an any of these at his best over hurdles. Paul Nicholls will have him tuned up to jump well and the ground will suit, so he looks very interesting. Mange Tout acts on heavy and fast ground but has yet to win when it is dead, and he has to get some confidence back after a fall last time, so he is perhaps best watched, while Templer looks more of a threat. The six-year-old won readily on his Fontwell chasing debut and is another improver who could well give the selection plenty to think about, but Enlightenment should represent better value and is a sporting alternative.
Mange Tout (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, in 5th and no impression when fell 2 out in race won by Tamango (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul, 9 ran.
Enlightenment (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, left in lead 7th, ran on well flat, won at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Sept beating Tessanoora (11-4) by 3l, 5 ran.
Templer (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Prominent, chased leader 4th, led 9th, ridden clear approaching 3 out, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept beating Silverhay (10-13) by 5l, 6 ran.
He's My Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, headed 7th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jim Edwards (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept, 13 ran.
Predicament 16-1 (10-2) Held up blundered 3rd, chased winner 6th until 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Patman Du Charmil (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf.
Tramantano 17-2 (11-10) Held up and behind, hit 2nd, headway going well approaching 2 out, switched left and weakened approaching last, 9th of 14, 26l behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan '06.
Marodima (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Chased winner until ridden and no extra after last, 5th of 9, 36l behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar.
