chased leading pair, blundered 14th, lost touch and struggling from 4 out
disputed lead to 5th, chased winner after, challenged 3 out, hard ridden and held from next, no chance when mistake last
disputed lead, definite advantage from 5th, drew clear 2 out, in no danger when edged right run-in
soon outpaced in 4th place, mistake 9th, not fluent 12th, pulled up approaching 14th
jumped slow 2nd, always last, struggling from 10th, continued tailed off
Punchy and Pharpost look to have the best credentials on offer here, with our vote going to Punchy. Martin Pipe's novice comes here seeking a straight hat-trick of wins and, having looked a pretty safe jumper so far, will make them all go in the extended three-mile event. Venetia Williams' Pharpost looks the obvious danger having followed up a narrow defeat by the subsequently impressive Bangor winner Prokofiev with a facile success at Carlisle. However, on this occasion, we are going to side with Punchy. Deal has looked well up to winning a novice chase although you will be taking a chance on his fitness as he hasn't raced for 314 days. Cyanara has a lot to find with Punchy on Uttoxeter form, Whereareyounow has been quite highly-tried in his chasing career to date so could be more competitive at this level, but Bella Mary looks to lack the basic overall ability to land this. This leads us back to the shortlist, of which xxx gets our vote.
