made all, blundered last, hard ridden, driven out
reminders, lost place after 3rd, chased leaders halfway, every chance last, stayed on towards finish
chased winner until appoaching last, one pace
tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, not fluent 6th, soon behind, blundered 9th, pulled up before 11th
prominent, hampered 10th, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 2 out
This looks an easy task for Frankie Figg to open his chasing account where Monolith and Union Deux appear the only conceivable dangers. It did take Frankie Figg five outings to break his maiden duck over hurdles but front running tactics appear to be the key. The selection was in the process of running a big race before falling, when in contention two out, in what has turned out to be a decent novice chase won by the exciting Nevertika. Assuming that tumble has not effected his confidence he should be too classy for these rivals. Monolith has achieved a rating as high as 135 over hurdles but is well below that level of form judged on recent performances. A seventh place in last season's Pertemps Final reads well and the step back up to 3m is certain to suit. He is vulnerable against a younger rival here though, such as the selection, being a 10 year old contesting only his second chase. Union Deux has the experience but it would be a surprise should he prove good enough. Frankie Figg is our selection to land the opener.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden when fell 4 out in race won by Nevertika (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Kempski 20-1 (10-7) Led to 3rd, chased winner until lost place 7th, soon behind, 6th of 8, well behind Beggars Cap (11-0) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Monolith 4-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 9th, rallied 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 12, 13l behind The Gleaner (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Prince Mouse 33-1 (12-0) fell in race won by Briery Fox (12-0) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Apr '04, 14 ran.
Union Deux (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders 10th, hit 13th, moderate 3rd when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Cockspur (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Nasrha (FR) 14-1 (10-2) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 1st unseated rider in race won by Mrs O'Malley (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f mdn chs (5) sft, 9 ran.