patiently ridden and held up in rear, smooth headway to track leaders after 3 out, challenged on bit, joined winner and hit 2 out, soon ridden and not look kean, readily held before
led, jumped left 8th and soon headed, stayed chasing leader to 11th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 8th, hit 3 out, joint 2 out, kept on well, always holding runner up before last
held up in touch, headway and went 2nd 11th until weakened after 2 out
chased leader, jumped left 8th and 9th, lost 2nd and weakened 11th, tailed off when clambered over 3 out
in rear, mistake 3rd, mistake and driven along 11th, stayed on under pressure to take poor 3rd and jumped left last
in touch, weakened 10th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
It is very hard to oppose Inca Trail in the novices' chase and he gets the vote here ahead of, possibly, Gatejumper. Whilst not being in the same league as his illustrious brother, Best Mate, the Paul Nicholls-trained selection came good in first-time blinkers last time after having shown promise over fences in two starts before that. Ok, Ruby Walsh might have to do some coaxing and cajoling but, on raw talent alone, he may well have been found another good winning opportunity. Much as Gatejumper's form has tailed off since winning a novice event at Plumpton last season, he has always looked the type to do well over fences. However, he did fall on his chasing bow. Latimer's Place won a Grade 3 handicap hurdle two years ago but has been injury-plagued since. Major Euro won off a mark of 105 over hurdles but, despite having shown promise over fences, needs to improve on his form in this sphere to score. Roofing Spirit fell on his chasing debut after showing hurdling promise, and We'll Make It also scored from 105 over hurdles but has now been off the track for over a year. This spins us back to Inca Trail, who gets our vote.
