jumped well, made all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on well
in rear, in touch, soon chased leading pair, poor 3rd at 13th, weakened from 5 out, soon tailed off
chased leading pair until jumped slow 1st, soon in rear, pushed along after 5th, weakened 5 out, soon tailed off
tracked winner, mistake 5th, jumped right 6th and 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
Columbus Secret has shown little so far and is readily dismissed from equations, as is Ramborob who pulled-up most recently at Huntingdon after a modest debut under rules here. ABERDALE is rated higher over hurdles than Silent Cliche and we'll take Jonjo O'Neill's gelding to confirm that superiority over the larger obstacles. Although Silent Cliche should appreciate the switch to chasing having won a point-to-point, Aberdale has shown enough ability in two chases so far to take this race. The pick came second (in the race that Ramborob pulled-up in) behind a very decent Ian Williams horse and with nothing like that opposition here he can record a first success over fences.
Aberdale (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Prominent, led 3rd, headed when hit 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Wayward Prince (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Columbus Secret (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 14th, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Club Class (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Ramborob (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In rear, not fluent, jumped wildly left 9th and pulled up, in a race won by Wayward Prince (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Silent Cliche (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when mistake 9th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Captain Americo (11-4) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
