tracked leading pair, outpaced 4 out, no chance from next
led to after 1st, pressed leader, led again, 8th, jumped left next, ridden and headed after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no chance with winner
jumped left 1st, soon led narrowly, headed 8th, hit and lost place next, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no chance with leading pair
raced keenly, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led going well after 3 out, ridden to assert between last 2, clear when carried head high approaching last, stayed on, easily
WHAT'S UP DOC can take the measure of Novikov and Quell The Storm. Lawney Hill's inmate won readily at Southwell in a similar event and looked thoroughly proficient over the larger obstacles. Novikov is a prolific performer in claiming races over hurdles. He would have made more appeal were the going to be on the testing side but the former Gary Moore inmate seems capable of getting away with it on this surface. Quell The Storm carries the Sir Alex Ferguson colours. Whether the Manchester United boss is here or not would be an interesting conundrum to factor but in the absence of that information, his last line of form is somewhat offputting and the caution of watching rather than playing might be the best policy. My Pal Val has attracted an official rating of 99. The hold-up performer needs to avoid some of the fencing errors that have compromised his chances in the past. What's Up Doc seems the percentage choice.
My Pal Val (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders until mistake 6th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Folie A Deux (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Novikov 5-1 (10-9) Close up, led 3rd, jumped slowly 5th (ditch), ridden approaching last, kept on well, just held on towards finish, won at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jul beating Kickahead (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
What's Up Doc (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Always going well, led 7th, clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jul beating Quedillac (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Quell The Storm (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Towards rear when blundered 4th, lost interest and never going after, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Corum (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug '09, 10 ran.
