led, soon clear, ridden approaching 3 out, hit and headed last, one pace
chased leaders, went 2nd from 5th, ridden to lead last, stayed on
chased leader until not fluent 5th, mistake next, soon outpaced
in rear, lost place from 7th
Pearl King lines up on a roll and can complete a four-timer, with Bambi de L'Orme and Saintsaire out to stop him. Pearl King is unbeaten over fences in three starts, having now won at Leicester, Wincanton and Ludlow, and as his latest victory came after more than three-months off the track, there should still be plenty more in the locker. The fast ground at Ludlow enabled him to break the course record, and although he is shooting up the weights, the five-year-old still gets a few pounds off his main rivals. That should enable him to just about come out on top again, with Bambi de L'Orme having a lot more weight on his back than when coming good in Grade 3 company at Aintree. He battled hard to get in front that day, and it may well have left its mark. Saintsaire did not help his cause with a mistake four out behind Andreas at Cheltenham, and will need to get into his stride here to have any chance of getting the losses back. The rest look up against it, including Locksmith who was behind Bambi de L'Orme at Aintree, and all in all it is Pearl King that sets the standard.
Calatagan (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Behind most of way, 14th of 23, 39l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 13-2 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd beating Marshall Hall (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Pearl King (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked clear leader, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, led 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, ridden when mistake last, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf beating Nippy Des Mottes (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Kalou (GER) 12-1 (10-10) Blundered 1st, behind, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 41l behind Green Finger (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jul.
Saintsaire (FR) 5-2fav (10-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and blundered 4 out, slightly hampered next, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 23, 13l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Turgeonev (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating Glengarra (11-8) by 11l, 12 ran.
Locksmith 12-1 (10-2) Led, headed after 4th, remained close up, led again 9th, headed after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Bambi De L'orme (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
