chased leader, nudged along when left clear 7th, unchallenged after
led, hit 3rd, quickening pace when fell 7th
chased leading pair, hit 3rd and next, struggling when left 2nd 7th, no chance from 3 out
Nonrunner
An interesting little race in which HEATHCOTE is put forwards ahead of his four opponents. Sebastiano was a useful hurdler in the mud but has yet to translate that form to the larger obstacles. It's too early to give up on him but his recent performances leave him with plenty to find. Black Beauty showed ability in three starts over hurdles in Ireland without suggesting that he's capable of matching the best of these over fences but he's worth a cursory glance. The Package ran abysmally at Ludlow but he chased home the likes of Punchestowns and Planet Of Sound over hurdles and is a horse with ability. His yard is enjoying its best spell of the season at present and he has time to set the record straight. Gauvain has progressed with each of his three runs over fences and is rated a serious prospect by his trainer. His Arkle entry may be flying too high but he has a leading chance in this company, particularly in receipt of weight from his principal rival. In spite of that along with his fall at Doncaster, we're going to give Heathcote another chance. He did quite well to get the better of Jigsaw Dancer and The Vicar at Plumpton and showed a good attitude in the finish. He will need to improve on that form to get the better of Gauvain but we fancy Heathcote to do just that.
Heathcote 7-2 (11-6) Held up in 4th when fell at the 4th in race won by Chapoturgeon (10-9) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan, 5 ran.
Gauvain (GER) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closed up 5th, led soon after 8th, clear before 3 out, unchallenged after, eased flat, won at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Back Among Friends (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.
Black Beauty 13-2 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Mister Benedictine (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gd in Oct '07.
Sebastiano (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 6th of 15, 33l behind Almaydan (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
The Package 15-8fav (11-0) Led to 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Cornas (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
