mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on well flat
held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, went 3rd between last two, kept on same pace
behind when fell 8th
in touch, lost place 7th, soon outpaced, ridden and stayed under pressure from 2 out never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader to 2 out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2 out, headed and one length down when hit last, no extra flat
behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Andre Chenier, Imtihan and Kentucky Blue look the main protagonists in this beginners' chase with the narrow vote going to Andre Chenier. The selection was a fair third behind Lankawi last time out, form which has since been franked and with this faster ground also in his favour he will be hard to beat. Imtihan rates the main danger on his best hurdles form and he is sure to have been well schooled for this his chasing debut but he lacks scope and is taken on with this in mind. Kentucky Blue is another that could go well on his latest third behind King Revo but he has had plenty of chances and is becoming hard to win with. Of the remainder Mange Tout was a good second behind Another Promise last time and has definite place claims but at likely odds he looks worth taking on and for the winner we return to Andre Chenier who looks the value bet.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, chased leaders 5th, ridden from 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lankawi (11-3) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Bestofthebrownies (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led to 2nd, chased winner, led again approaching 4 out, ridden when blundered 3 out, headed 2 out, blundered again last, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Ela Re (11-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Colonel James (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Keen early, held up, struggling 5 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 25l behind Primus Inter Pares (11-3) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) sft.
Imtihan (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Made most until ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ring The Boss (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Knock Davron (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed 7th, led after 10th, headed before 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Arctic Ghost (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd.
Mange Tout (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, joined 6th, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Another Promise (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Nebraska City 14-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, led 5th, hit 6th and 8th, ridden when headed after 9th, hit 2 out and rider lost whip, led last, headed again soon after, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Glory Be (10-9) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Water Taxi 10-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and weakened after 8th, 6th of 7, well behind Endless Power (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
First Fought (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 29l behind Kanad (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan.
Super Baby (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Always towards rear pulled up 3 out in race won by Brave Vision (10-3) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Filey Flyer 2-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, headway to lead 3 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Primus Inter Pares (11-3) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) sft.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, headway after 3 out, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 6, 16l behind King Revo (11-4) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
