in touch, chased leader 7th, led after 4 out, headed and pecked 2 out, beaten when mistake last, broke blood vessel
chased leader, led 5th to 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, left 3rd last
held up in touch, lost touch approaching 8th, tailed off
held up and took keen hold, headway 5th, led next, headed after 4 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake 3 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, easily
led to 5th, lost place 7th, rallied after 3 out, 10 lengths 3rd and beaten when mistake and unseated rider last
Venn Ottery carries most weight in this intermediate chase but has the class to prevail over the likes of Petanque, Tarboush and Hors La Loi. Now back with his owner, having been prepared for Cheltenham by Paul Nicholls, Venn Ottery returns to the scene of his latest victory in March, and with the fast ground in his favour, should take the beating on his return to the bigger obstacles. He never settled over hurdles here 12 days ago when he was reported to have made a noise on the way round. He will have a wind operation sometime later in the year, but connections obviously felt that this opportunity is too good to miss. Petanque unseated his rider at the first when sent off a warm order on his chase debut at Fakenham and it remains to be seen how that will affect his confidence. He looked a horse with a future when landing a Huntingdon bumper on his racecourse bow three years ago and still has time on his side. Tarboush was impressive enough over hurdles at Wincanton in April and is sure to have been well schooled, while Hors La Loi will be all the better for a run out on the Flat five days ago. A few to keep in mind then, but if Venn Ottery runs up to his best there can only be one winner.
