led, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
towards rear, pushed along 7th, headway under pressure after 4 out, no impression when blundered last
held up in rear, headway 7th, led 2 out, ridden out
with leaders to 4th, pushed along and lost place 6th, soon behind
held up towards rear, reminders 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
headway and in touch 7th, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, blundered and dropped rear next, no danger after
tracked leaders, closed up 7th, ridden and every chance 4 out, no extra approaching last
raced keen in touch, dropped rear 6th, behind from next
Proceedings at Sedgefield get underway with a fair novice contest and Indian Venture is the choice to open his account over fences. A useful hurdler, the son of Commanche Run has proved equally capable of the larger obstacles and ran particularly well when only narrowly denied by a useful chasing prospect at Musselburgh in late January. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding was a little below his best last time when the combination of testing ground and an extra half-a-mile stretched his stamina to breaking point but has conditions in his favour here and should prove hard to beat. Supreme Fortune has shown a similar level of ability to the selection over fences but is probably best watched on a return from a short break with his stable under a cloud at present. Ex-Irish performer took a maiden hurdle at Cork in August but was most disappointing on his chase debut for present connections at Kelso earlier in the month while Shalbeblue, who makes his chase debut, has something to find on hurdling form.
