held up, headway 6th, led 9th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat
held up, not fluent 6th, headway 9th, ridden after 10th, chased winner after 4 out, every chance 3 out, no extra flat
chased clear leader, stumbled 7th, soon left in lead, headed when not fluent next, ridden after 10th, weakening and not keen approaching 3 out
held up, mistake 1st, hit 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th when pulled up before last, dismounted
pulled hard, jumped left, led and soon clear, hung badly left on bend after 5th and came back to field, hung violently left after 7th and headed, back up sides when fell 8th
held up, closed after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakening in 3rd when mistake last
chased leaders, led 8th to 9th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
A closely-matched Novices' chase in which narrow preference is for MATCHO PIERJI ahead of Golden Child and Double The Trouble. A winner last time out at Leicester in handicap company, the selection seemed to improve for both the better ground and a shorter trip. He has similar conditions today and with AP McCoy on-board once again, a bold show looks assured. John Dillon returns to fences after a spell on the level but wasn't in the rudest of health at Wetherby in November, Double The Trigger was a little disappointing last time behind Muhtenbar and needs to improve, whilst Golden Child takes a drop in trip. On the ratings he doesn't look badly treated and he should put in a better showing. Chasing debutants Paradis Blue and Timpo are afforded respect; especially the latter who is not a bad hurdler, but it is Matcho Pierji who is selected.
Double The Trouble 2-1jt-fav (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 11th, tracked winner from 4 out, hit 2 out, held, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Muhtenbar (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd.
Golden Child (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, ridden 12th, headway to chase leaders 17th, left 2nd 4 out until 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 38l behind Appleaday (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
John Dillon (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 11th, soon well behind, 5th of 9, 46l behind Tell Henry (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway 8th, hit 10th, pushed along 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, stayed on under strong pressure to regain lead towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb beating Tarabaloo (10-1.
Paradis Blue (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Always behind, 17th of 18, well behind Nemetan (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
Timpo (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, lost touch before 9th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Sashenka (10-10) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Tizzy Blue (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) Held up, ridden after 8th, soon weakened and pulled up 5 out in race won by Picts Hill (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
