Open Meeting 2011 - Ultima Frontrunner In It Solutions Novices' Chase

4.10 Cheltenham

Ultima Frontrunner In It Solutions Novices' Chase (Class 2)  (5YO plus)

Winner £12,512

Advice: 2 pts win Restless Harry (15/8 Hills)

Mr Moss: Got off the mark in 3 runner Weterby novice chase but that a really weak race and there to be shot at today if he pulls even half as hard as he did last time.

Viking Blond: Useful handicap hurdler last season (notably his efforts behind Lush Life and Cross Kennon) and transferred that to fences with commanding Chepstow win; Harder to get to the lead and show them a merry dance this time round but respected nevertheless.

Blues And Twos: Made a winning introduction to hurdles at Wincaton over 2m6f and while he should improve for that run and step up in trip, that form ordinary in this  context and tough introdctuion for him anyway.

Join Together: Useful novice hurdler, coming second in Grade 2 before then winning by 20 lengths at Chepstow, and going well there (although in no way certain to win) when stumbling on landing 5 out there on chasing/seasonal debut; Can go better with that behind him and a major player here.

Restless Harry: Held his head high last season again, placing in 2 Grade 1’s in a long season; One of best performances when making rest toil in the John Smith’s Hurdle, winning by 20 lengths; Always had potential as a chaser and should go really well here; One to beat.

Saint Are: Cannily placed to win Grade 1 at Aintree last season having shown promise beforehand in novice hurdles; Decent debut when behind Champion Court over a trip too short for him and this should see him in better light, for all he has a fair bit to prove.

Teaforthree: Quite impressive when winning at Ffos last and ran game race to finish in the frame when third behind Mossley; Not really gone on since then and Join Together looked to be going far better when falling on chase debut.

VERDICT: A quality novice chase with plenty of talent but they could all be toiling if RESTLESS HARRY takes to the fences following on from his Grade 2 demolition job at Wetherby. That was the performance of a serious horse and he’s had the look of a chaser about him for a long time. Join Together, Saint Are and Viking Blond make this an interesting contest.