tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th before 3 out, one pace
led and mistakes, headed 5 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, jumped left 6 out and 5 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway before 6 out, went 2nd after 4 out, led 3 out, kept on well from last
tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out when stumbled badly, not recover
behind, hampered 6 out and 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
De Blacksmith has had his chances, though has been taking on better opposition than this. But he probably lacks the scope of CHINA TOWN BOY. Paul Nicholls' chasing debutant was placed twice in point-to-points and also over hurdles and this looks a natural progression. I'm In Charge won twice at Wincanton last month but came up short in his hat-trick bid at Towcester and has gone up another 4lb since. Storm Alert and The Happy Warrior have questions to answer at present but By The Boardwalk could go well with a clear round and is preferred to the returning Knockalongi.
Chinatown Boy (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden after 7th, stayed on one pace from 3 out, unable to get on terms after, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Shubaat (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leading pair, mistake 7th, lost 3rd after 9th, soon driven along, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 35l behind Seventh Sky (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) gd in Oct.
By The Boardwalk (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) With leader, led before 2nd, hit 10th and unseated rider, in a race won by Tinker Time (11-6) at Kempton 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs, 5 ran.
Storm Alert He has won three hurdle races from 2m 6f to 2m 7f on ground varying from good to soft to heavy.
Knockalongi 11-4 (11-4) Led until 2nd, led next, mistake and headed 8th, ridden and outpaced after next rallied 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Low Gales (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb '12.
The Happy Warrior 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, lost place 10th, blundered badly 11th, soon behind, 9th of 15, 44l behind Premier Portrait (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
I'm In Charge 5-2fav (12-2) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, lost place 6th, not fluent 9th, closed 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, no impression, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Le Grand Chene (11-3) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
