in touch, left 2nd at 9th, switched left approaching 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, ran on
in rear, hampered 9th, headway to track leaders 12th, mistake next, jumped left and weakened 3 out
in touch, 2nd when stumbled on landing, unseated rider 9th
always in rear, ridden and weakened 5 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, hit 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace
led, awkward and headed 2nd, tracked leader until 9th, mistake next, ridden and weakened from 4 out
held up, mistake 2nd, took closer order 7th, tracked leader 3 out, led next, headed narrowly last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
It is hard to get away from ZEMSKY in this beginners' chase and he is nominated over Prince Taime and Awesome George. The selection has a likeable profile and he went close on his only previous try over birch when he chased home Robbers Glen at Kelso. Prior to that he had winning form in the Irish point-to-point sphere and he has since been successful over hurdles. He shapes as though he could have a decent future as a chaser, he is versatile with regards to the ground and he should take plenty of beating. Prince Taime was pulled-up on his seasonal return at Chepstow last month when he was disappointing, but he does have smart form over hurdles and if he can reproduce that over fences then he would have a big chance. Awesome George shaped with plenty of promise on his chasing bow at Exeter earlier in the month and this longer trip will certainly play to his strengths. Any further rain would be a big help to Edgbriar who loves to get his toe in, but in a competitive affair we will side with Zemsky as the most likely winner.
Awesome George 17-2 (11-1) Held up in 4th, mistake 3rd, headway to go 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Tchico Polos (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs.
Edgbriar (FR) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 13th of 18, 40l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Master Darcy 28-1 (11-9) Chased leader, not fluent 1st, left in lead when hit 5th, soon headed, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 46l behind Dani's Girl (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Pingaro De La Vire (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, detached before 3rd, not fluent 8th, some late headway, never nearer, 4th of 11, 17l behind Overlut (11-10) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Prince Taime (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Always in rear, well behind after 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Theophrastus (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Mid-division, went badly right third, headway after 3 out, led after next, went right last, stayed on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Come Out Firing (10-11) by 13l, 11 ran.
Zemsky (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 3 out to next, 1 length down and staying on when left 6 lengths clear last, won at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Big Burrows (11-3) by 5l, 6 ran.
