chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and 1 1/2 lengths down when left in clear lead and hampered 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 8th, closed 11th, struggling 13th, pulled up before 15th
led, kicked on 12th, 1 1/2 lengths up when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway from 10th, outpaced when not fluent 13th, well beaten from 15th, left 3rd 2 out
chased leader, not fluent 12th, lost 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened, left 2nd 2 out
in rear, not fluent 2nd, slow next, pushed along and behind after 8th, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, lost place before 4th, closed after 10th, not fluent 11th, not fluent and struggling next, mistake and behind 14th, pulled up before 4 out
NonRunner
Another race in which a strong pace looks guaranteed as Shan Blue is best when allowed to dictate matters. However, he was outstayed by Sporting John at Sandown and only fifth in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham won by CHANTRY HOUSE. That was over 2m4f but the extra half-mile shouldn’t be a problem for Nicky Henderson’s novice as he won over 3m between the flags as a four-year-old. The Big Breakaway paid for the price for trying to match strides with Monkfish over 3m at Cheltenham and was overtaken by stablemate Fiddlerontheroof in the closing stages - he could reverse that form today if ridden with more restraint. Silver Hallmark was just beaten by Fiddlerontheroof on his chasing bow at Exeter and a subsequent win at Haydock has worked out well while Espoir De Romay’s only defeat over fences so far came when trying to conceded 5lb to Gold Cup sixth Royale Pagaille so he deserves the utmost respect, though he is another trying a new trip.
Chantry House (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 9th, challenged before 2 out, led approaching last, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar beating Fusil Raffles (11-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
Empire Steel (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased leader, challenged 6th, led next, soon headed, hit 9th, jumped right and dived at 10th, jumped right 11th, led next, drew clear from 4 out, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f (3) sft in Feb beating Protektorat (11-8) by dist, 3 ran.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Chased leaders, jumped right and slow 1st, closed next, pecked 8th, jumped right next, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating The Bay Birch (11-4) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, left 3rd 12th, not fluent 15th, ridden to chase winner before 2 out, 3 1/2 lengths down last, no impression, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Monkfish (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Shan Blue (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 7th, soon led and upped tempo, not fluent 8th, clear 10th, hit 4 out, reduced lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, not much room and weakened flat, 5th of 8, 12l behind Chantry House (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Sporting John (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, bad mistake and lost ground on rivals 11th, left 4th next, weakened before 3 out, fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
The Big Breakaway (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, led 8th, headed 4 out, soon led again, mistake and headed 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 6, 17 1/2l behind Monkfish (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Silver Hallmark 2-1 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 9th and 2 out, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan beating Marown (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
