held up in rear, jumped left 7th, mistake 10th, headway after 12th, challenged 3 out, no chance with winner when blundered last
tracked leaders, driven and beaten approaching 3 out
tracked leader, narrow leader 8th, driven and stayed on well from 2 out, easily
led to 8th, weakening when slipped landing and unseated rider 12th
With the exception of Dunston Bill, who appears to face a stiff task off his revised mark after scoring at Market Rasen last time, each of the remainder can be fancied on their best form. Former French performer Hermes III is a lightly raced type who remains open to plenty of further progress having landed two novice hurdles over this trip earlier in the year. Nicky Henderson's charge is fully effective in testing conditions and did win a chase in his native France in 2000. The seven-year-old looks a bright chasing prospect and is respected on his handicap bow while Mini Sensation was a progressive novice last term and will be suited by a test of stamina so should go well if fit for this return. Returning should be able to dominate this small field and is another to consider following an encouraging reappearance but the TEAMtalk vote goes to Mr Baxter Basics. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding is well treated on the pick of his form and should be sharper after a promising effort when sixth in the Thomas Pink at Cheltenham last month. The 11-year-old will be suited by the testing conditions and can break a losing sequence stretching back to April 2000.
