in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
held up in touch, effort 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
held up, headway and in touch halfway, mistake 10th, effort 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
held up, outpaced 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, outpaced 4 out, 5th and beaten when fell next
led 1st, headed 9th, remained in touch, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat
jumped right, led to 1st, tracked leader, led again 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well flat
Royal Rosa has the form around here so must go close if on a going day, however that was a woeful effort last time out and so he is passed over in favour of Hoh Viss with Heez A Dreamer and Blue Splash obvious threats. The last-named hasn't been out of the top two in all four of his starts this winter, culminating in an impressive chasing debut at Exeter. He goes very well in testing conditions and must have solid claims. However this is a tough race and therefore we will take him on on account of his lack of experience. Charlie Mannhas a 50% strike-rate with his chasers here and Hoh Viss gets the nomination. He beat Flintoff by 50 lengths when last seen, and the form of that win has been irrefutably franked by the winner going in twice since by wide margins. He looks destined to make a better chaser than he was a hurdler, and with the stable in cracking form he is the value call. Heez A Dreamer beat the selection last time out off level weights, however a 4lb pull in the weights coupled with the selection's improvement since means that we will take Heez A Dreamer on, despite his trainer's excellent form. Miko De Beauchene was firmly put in his place by Blue Splash last time out, however if recovering from that he would hold fair claims, whilst Omni Cosi Touch has been contesting some top-class events and today's race looks easier so he must hold claims. Ultimately, this looks an open renewal however we will side with Hoh Viss to win the battle of Towton in this novices' chase.
Royal Rosa (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, reminded after 9th, lost place next, rallied after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Limerick Boy (11-7) at Haydock 2m 6f Grad Ch (2) hvy in Dec.
Blue Splash (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Led to after 2nd, chased leader, mistake 11th, hit 13th and soon ridden, challenged and mistake 2 out, led approaching last, driven out flat, won at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Dream Alliance (11-10) by 12l, 6 ran.
Heez A Dreamer (IRE) 11-8 (11-8) Led, headed 10th, rallied and left clear 2 out, heavily eased from last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Rosarian (10-11) by 24l, 4 ran.
Omni Cosmo Touch (USA) 25-1 (10-0) In touch when jumped slowly 1st, behind from 4th, 10th of 18, 24l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Hoh Viss 11-10fav (11-0) In touch, headway and left 2nd at 6th, drew well clear after 4 out, hit 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Flintoff (11-0) by a distance, 7 ran.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, no fluent 11th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Blue Splash (11-4) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Heltornic (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, reminders 12th, weakening when mistake 18th, 7th of 13, 31l behind Ladalko (11-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
