held up in rear, headway to go 3rd when slipped on landing and unseated rider 14th
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, headed flat, no extra
jumped right, led to 3 out, led briefly flat, no extra towards finish
jumped badly right, held up, mistake 4th, well behind after 14th, headway approaching last, stayed on well under pressure to lead flat,driven out
held up, headway 14th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, jumped badly right throughout, tailed off
held up in rear, not always fluent, no chance from 14th, jumped right final 4 fences, tailed off
towards rear, jumped slowly 13th, behind 13th, tailed off when mistake 2 out
chased leader to 7th, remained handy, ridden approaching 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied last, every chance flat, stayed on
On paper this Novice Chase looks a two horse race between ARMENIAN BOY and Postmaster and with the former proven over this trip David Pipes runner in given the vote with course specialist Black Anshan the best of the rest. The pick capped a decent run of form with an easy success over this trip last time staying on well clear of the rest. Judged on the official ratings he also has terms in his favour so it looks good for the gelding to follow up with the ground also no barrier. Postmaster found listed company too hot last time but down at this grade he's won his last two but with terms just out of his favour we side elsewhere. Black Anshan has won two of his three visits at this venue so despite having to find a bit at these weights he shouldn't be ignored. Sea Cliff has form to over turn on the pick and stamina to prove for this trip so in a virtual match race Aremenian Boy has the call.
Postmaster 18-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, well behind 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Armenian Boy (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders after 10th, went 2nd next, led after 3 out, idling when drawing clear between last 2, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chase (4) gs in Jul beating Baren De Doc (11-0) by 9l, 5 ran.
Black Anshan (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by De Soto (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 12 ran.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Georgian King (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Feb.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, went 2nd briefly 4 out, outpaced by front pair 3 out, weakened, 6th of 9, 37l behind Mhilu (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd in Jul.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Not jump well, held up in last, left 3rd 5th, disputed moderate 2nd from 2 out until towards finish, 3rd of 4, 21l behind R De Rien Sivola (9-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Jul.
Itstooearly 20-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 4th of 11, well behind Candle (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Shenanigan 6-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, lost place next, ridden after 10th, well behind approaching 12th, 4th of 5, well behind Just Amazing (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f nov stks (4) gd in Jul.
