held up behind leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, driven out
held up behind leaders, chased winner 3 out, switched left and stumbled after 2 out, ridden flat, ran on
led until 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader until 6th, ridden 8th, weakened 9th
A tricky novices chase in which the tentative vote goes to Trouble At Bay, with Buena Vista looking to be the chief danger. The selection represents an in-form stable and the manner of his win last time out suggests that he is one to keep on the right side of in the coming months. He beat a smart performer in Opera De Coeur on that chasing win, and could be aimed at the Arkle in March, so if handling the ground today, he could be the one to be on. Buena Vista is without doubt a high class animal and will no doubt be popular for a top stable with Tony McCoy on board. He showed that he handled soft ground when winning on his chase debut, however he drops back in trip today which could put more emphasis on his jumping. We will take him on today because of the ground, however he does look one to follow in the coming months. Ghenghis was well fancied in the race that Trouble At Bay won over this course and distance but failed to deliver and it remains to be seen whether he is as good over fences as he is over hurdles. However he will appreciate the testing conditions so cannot be dismissed. Chief Yeoman makes his chasing debut today and whilst he was a very good hurdler, this looks a tough introduction. Finally, Killing Me Softly looks out of his depth here, and so we return to Trouble At Bay as our idea of the winner.
Buena Vista (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, led 4 out, soon ridden, hit 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec beating Tora Bora (11-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Chief Yeoman 16-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden to chase leader from 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 20, 12l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Genghis (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Trouble At Bay (11-3) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Killing Me Softly 25-1 (11-4) Led until headed 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 4, well behind L'Antartique (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Trouble At Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 3 out, clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Opera de Coeur (10-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
