chased leading pair, chased winner 6th, ridden before 2 out, no impression
not fluent, held up in last pair, closed on leaders after 11th, went 3rd 4 out, ridden and beaten next, tailed off
pushed along 8th, soon left behind
chased leader, led 4th, made rest, clear when last, ridden out run-in and stayed on strongly
not fluent, led until 4th, chased winner until mistake 6th, hit 10th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
Disappointingly just the five runners line up for this opening novices' chase headed by I'm So Lucky, who comes here on the back of wins at Worcester and Newton Abbot in the summer but David Pipe's gelding does have to give weight away all round and a chance is taken with SIR JIMMY SHAND, who gets the verdict with Crocodiles Rock rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has not been seen since April last year but lack of a recent run need not be of concern with Nicky Henderson more than capable of getting one ready and the stable continuing in good form. Decent over hurdles, he looks worth chancing on his chasing debut. The Philip Hobbs-trained Planet of Sound disappointed first time up over fences at Sandown last month and looks best watched judged by that effort, while Ferdy Murphy's Galant Nuit has more to do here than when successful at Uttoxeter last time. Jonjo O'Neill's Crocodiles Rock looked useful when winning at Carlisle and was going well at Leicester subsequently before a bad mistake three out put paid to his chances and he soon weakened. He has to be respected but it may be worth siding with the reappearing Sir Jimmy Shand.
I'm So Lucky 1-2fav (11-4) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 4 out, soon in command, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun beating Osprey View (10-12) by 13l, 7 ran.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up, blundered 6th, last but in touch when blundered 3 out, weakened before 2 out, eased last, last of 6, 44l behind Kalahari King (11-6) at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Galant Nuit (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Patiently ridden in rear, headway after 9th, reminder after next, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Cromwell Court (11-2) by 8l, 9 ran.
Planet of Sound 2-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden in 4th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 11l behind Free World (10-7) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gs in Nov.
Sir Jimmy Shand (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Led, headed 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Here's Johnny (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) sft in Apr '07, 9 ran.
