held up in touch, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, readily
tracked leaders, outpaced from 7 out, tailed off 5 out
with leader, led 4 out, headed next, one pace and not fluent last
led, headed 4 out, kept on and well held from 2 out
in rear, outpaced halfway, soon tailed off, pulled up before 5 out
Barry Geraghty has three rides for JP McManus today, starting with ABOVE ABOARD in this beginners' chase. Lightly-raced over hurdles, he is a half-brother to last season's Arkle Trophy fourth Royal Caviar so should handle the switch to the larger obstacles. Polymath won a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in August and was successful in a point-to-point in 2015 so rates a danger. The Happy Chappy has similar credentials but Just A Felling has become disappointing.
Above Board (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Honourable Henry 40-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced by front pair before 4 out, never on terms, lost modest 3rd next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching last, at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in May.
Polymath (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Made all, slight mistake 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f Yielding in Aug beating Masterson (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Happy Chappy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 7th, lost place next, rallied 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May beating Golanova (10-13) by 6l, 9 ran.
Just A Feeling 25-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Soiesauvage (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
