made all and jumped left throughout, quickened clear 3 out, mistake 2 out, eased flat
held off from mid-division, reminder after 2nd, mistake 17th, rider lost iron briefly, gained well behind winner approaching 3 out, soon ridden, found nil under pressure
tracked leader, mistake 6th and lost place, headway on inside 13th, weakened 4 out
held up last, mistake 9th, not fluent 15th, ridden 16th, one pace 4 out
Just four go to post for this novice handicap chase, but it is a very competitive event, where every runner can be given a chance. Inca Trail is the one we will side with, Castleford and Meggies Lad could chase him home. The Paul Nicholls trained gelding was a shade disappointing behind Vodka Bleu on his seasonal debut but there were excuses, as he didn't like the ground or the track. He doesn't look harshly treated for his first handicap venture, and will be much more at home on this flat circuit. Castleford was pulled up on his return at Exeter, but showed plenty of promise on his only other outing over fences last season. Meggies Lad is from a top yard and put up some decent efforts over hurdles last season. He will have been well schooled and doesn't look overburdened in this modest contest. The field is completed with Northern Deal who has a bit to find with the selection on Chepstow running, but had previously landed a beginners chase at Stratford. So not a race to get too heavily involved in as tactics will play a Major Role, but Inca Trail does hold strong claims and gets the vote.
