in touch, led 4 out, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon headed, every chance last, not quicken flat
towards rear, pulled up approaching 5th
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 9th and mistake, soon weakened
prominent, led 3rd, headed next, ridden 6th, one pace from 3 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden 4 out, one pace
held up, keen in rear, headway 8th, hampered next, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, not reach winner
towards rear, weakened 5 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
always prominent, driven approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and edged right flat
in touch, ridden 5 out, weakened approaching last
in rear and unseated rider 3rd
led 1st, headed and mistake 2nd, weakened from 8th and jumped right, soon well behind
tracked leaders until blundered and lost place 4th, weakened next, pulled up before 6th
mid-division until hampered and unseated rider 5th
Free Return has been given a chance by the handicapper and is taken to make a winning return here, with Toulon Crest and Jalons Star the pick of some fairly moderate opposition. Jalons Star at least comes here in fair form, having come second to the useful Samon in a novices event at Uttoxeter last time. A five pound rise in the weights seems a trifle harsh, but he should still be thereabouts here. Toulon Crest was third behind another smart prospect in Lirfox at Hereford last time, but has surprisingly been dropped seven pounds since then and certainly appears to be on a reasonable mark. Hakim was a fair hurdler at this sort of level and would not be without a chance on his chasing debut, but we prefer the claims of Free Return. Noel Chance's gelding had some useful form last season, most notably when third to the smart Jakari at Hereford. He starts the new campaign on a mark seven pounds lower than when winning over hurdles last year, and as long as he is fit enough on his first outing for three months, he should prove good enough to record a first victory over fences under jockey Seamus Durack.
