held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well
tracked leaders, effort and chance 3 out, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed after last, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind
Now Then Sid lines up in good form at present and can complete a hat-trick, with Red Nose Lady, L'Orage Lady and Fairy Skin Maker the main dangers. After being pulled up on his chase debut at Perth in August, Now Then Sid has not looked back since being put back over timber, scoring over today's course and distance before comfortably defying a penalty at Hexham. Keith Mercer seems to have struck up a good understanding with the gelding and another seven-pound hike may not be enough to stop him. The plan is to go chasing again soon, and indeed he was down to run in the Jonny Ridley Maiden Chase earlier on the card, but connections have probably made the right choice in opting to run here instead. Red Nose Lady found only Green 'n' Gold too good at Cartmel last time and a good run by the latter in the 2:30 will tell us more about her chances here. L'Orage Lady should win a similar contest to this in due course, but may need the run today, while Fairy Skin Maker is another that should come on for the outing and also for the step up in trip. On this occasion though, Now Then Sid has plenty going for him and can pay to follow.
