keen hold in touch, effort 4 out, no extra from next
mistakes, always behind, mistake 4 out, tailed off when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
mistakes, held up in rear, hit 4th, struggling next, tailed off
held up, ridden to close after 4th, beaten before next, tailed off
prominent until mistake and weakened 3 out
keen hold, led to after 1st, settled behind leaders, led 4 out, clear when jumped left last, eased flat
held up and behind, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led narrowly after 1st until jumped slow and lost place 2nd, behind when jinked, unseated rider approaching 4th
behind, outpaced and struggling after 4th, kept on under pressure from 2 out but never dangerous
Chief Yeoman get back to winning ways ahead of Dear Sir, Pequenita and interesting newcomers Damarisco and Major Speculation. Whether any of these emerge as a Triumph Hurdle contender only time will tell, but Chief Yeoman has already shown what he can do, making a successful bow at Kempton in October. Trouble At Bay was back in fourth that day and has since made amends, so that form looks good. Chief Yeoman the tried to make all and may have done so successfully had he not clouted the last two flights, and, sure to have been schooled since, gets the chance to put things right here. Dear Sir was a plater on the Flat but opened his account at Huntingdon in gutsy fashion, despite not jumping well. Pequenita started where he had left off on the Flat by following up a win for James Given, with a Folkestone hurdles victory. he has more to do here though. Damarisco, a winner in soft ground in the French provinces, comes from a top stable as does Major Speculation, who it has to be pointed out, beat Howle Hill on the Polytrack at Lingfield in 2002. The latter is a leading fancy for the Triumph, so Pipe's charge will enter the Cheltenham equation no doubt, if successful here. However, with no doubts about fitness or ability to jump, Chief Yeoman may just defy a penalty.
