held up, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
with leader, led 4th to 6th, led again 10th, not fluent and headed 4 out, weakened quickly after next
led to 4th, led again 6th to 10th, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out
held up, slightly hampered 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden after 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 12th, one pace from 3 out
in touch, not fluent 9th, went prominent 12th, ridden after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last, dismounted
Martin Pipe, who won this 12 months ago is represented by no fewer than three of the seven runners including last year's winner Tresor De Mai. The son of Grand Tresor, the mount of Richard Johnson, has more to do than when beating Banker Count by 11 lengths then with preference among the Pipe trio for Tiutchev. Formerly with Nicky Henderson, the 10-year-old ran with credit on his debut for the Nicholashayne-based trainer on ground softer than ideal when finding just Eskleybrook two lengths too good in handicap at Sandown. However, with Redemption falling when going well and the winner a 50/1 chance in the market, there have to be reservations about the form. Against that Tiutchev looked as though he would improve for the outing beforehand and, while that may be the case, with the ground again softer than ideal, he looks opposable. Pipe's third runner Wahiba Sands does not look good enough these days, while Guillaume Macaire's Douze Douze has failed to live up to expectations in two starts in this country, although both were behind Best Mate. Decent hurdler Geos was a winner over fence in France and opened his account over the larger obstacles in this country when beating Armaturk by eight lengths to win Wetherby's Castleford Chase on Boxing Day. This is an altogether tougher assignment for the eight-year-old though, especially given his inexperience, and a better bet could be Fadalko. The son of Cadoudal has not been seen at his best previously this season but both runs, in the Tripleprint Gold Cup and the Mid Season Chase, have been over 2m5f a distance that stretches his stamina. Back over a more suitable trip of 2m3f, on ground conditions that suit ideally coming into the race a fresh horse, the 10-year-old has plenty going for him and he can win his first race of the season. Improving stablemate Young Devereux faces his stiffest assignment yet but is going the right way very quickly and cannot be discounted lightly.
