soon behind, lost touch 5th, pulled up after next
chased leaders, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, kept on under pressure flat
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened approaching last
in touch, led 2nd, hit 6th, headed next, chased leaders until lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, reminders and lost place 5th, behind when pulled up before 7th
behind, outpaced 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, mistake 7th, steady headway after 8th, led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon ridden and no extra
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, behind when pulled up after next
held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, held near finish
towards rear, headway 8th, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure flat
led to 2nd, tracked leader, mistake 4th, hit 6th, led again 7th, ridden headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, finished tired
soon behind, weakened 6th, pulled up before next
mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, hit and lost place 6th, soon pulled up
mistakes in rear, behind when pulled up after 6th
Vivid Imagination can make the switch back to the smaller obstacles pay off at the expense of Red Georgie, Mooramana and Charlies Memory. Martin Pipe's six-year-old had something of a reputation in Ireland, having remained unbeaten in six completed point-to-points before being purchased by owner David Johnson, but has not had too many opportunities to shine coming over. Off the track since a quiet introduction at Newton Abbot in August 2003, the son of Moonax only returned to the fray at Folkestone in December in what was on paper an above-average beginner's chase. Not surprisingly, he struggled to get competitive, but should strip fitter here, and the switch to hurdles will help at this stage of his career. Dual bumper winner Red Georgie shaped really well on his timber debut at Uttoxeter when third to Mount Clerigo, and the combination of the longer journey and slightly less exacting conditions will help his cause. Mooramana was a bit too keen on the faster ground at Catterick last time, but he too has potential, while Charlies Memory would have badly needed his outing here on Boxing Day and should improve for the extra trip. All in all, Vivid Imagination is the most interesting contender though and can take this before going on to better things one day.
