jumped well, held up in touch, left close 4th at 9th, went 2nd 13th, led 4 out, shaken up and clear before last, kept on strongly, ridden out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, hit 13th and lost 2nd, lost 3rd 4 out, no impression when went right 3 out and went modest 3rd soon after
tracked leader until 5th, tracked leading pair, fell 9th
led, reached for 4th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd and weakened after next
chased leaders on outside, left close 3rd 9th, 2nd after 3 out, one pace and no impression approaching 2 out, well clear of rest
Nonrunner
With her mares' allowance, Ma Filleule might be the pick of the weights in this. But she's disappointed in two runs this season while stablemate Rajdhani Express, who usually races with the choke out, has plenty to find on recent form. Ptit Zig is four from four over fences but this will be his first venture outside of novice company and he'll need to improve again. BALDER SUCCES won a Grade 1 at Aintree last year and got off the mark for the season at Kempton last month. It's possible he's more effective over this longer distance nowadays and he should take all the beating. Ballycasey would have every chance on his best form but Theatre Guide might find a couple of these have too much speed for him over this trip.
Balder Succes (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Pressed leader, led 12th, advantage 3 out, clear next, reached for last, easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f lst chs (1) sft in Jan beating Fox Appeal (11-6) by 10l, 3 ran.
Ballycasey (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders early, slight mistake 1st, soon mid-division in 5th, mistake and ridden 3 out, soon no extra, 7th of 9, 29l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Ptit Zig (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led last, stayed on well, clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan beating Champagne West (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not always fluent, headway after 3 out, no impression next, weakened last, last of 6, 18l behind Many Clouds (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Ma Filleule (FR) 2-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, close up when left 2nd at 8th, hit 2 out (usual 5 out), poised to challenge before omitted 3 out, ridden and not quicken approaching bypassed last, kept on towards finish, held when lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Sam Winner (11-6) at Aintree 3m 1f lst chs (1) gd in Dec.
Rajdhani Express 9-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway 11th, pushed along disputing 3rd approaching 2 out, beginning to weaken when mistake 2 out, eased in closing stages, tailed off, last of 6, 39l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
