tracked leaders, blundered 12th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
tracked leader until ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
led, blundered 2nd, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
jumped slow early, in rear, blundered 5 out, headway to go 4th when jumped left 4 out, no impression after
close up, headway to track leader going better 4 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on
Chateau Robin has experience of fences having placed on numerous occasions including at Perth in July. But he’s facing tougher opposition today while Asum could only manage third in last year’s renewal. The remainder go chasing for the first time and Ettila De Sivola has undergone wind surgery since finishing runner-up over timber at Haydock in March. The latter is preferred to both Big Nasty and Manetti but Richard Johnson’s presence on THREE IS COMPANY takes the eye and Gordon Elliott’s charge is taken to make the journey over from Ireland worthwhile with improvement expected handicapping for the first time on his chasing bow.
Big Nasty 6-4fav (10-12) Raced wide and bit keen, chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened quickly, tailed off, 4th of 7, 28l behind Diomede des Mottes (11-5) at Southwell 3m (4) sft in Oct.
Ettila De Sivola (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slow 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on into 2nd after last, never a threat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Destined To Shine (11-6) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Asum 2-1fav (11-8) Prominent, keen, led 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 34l behind Born For War (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Three Is Company (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led at steady pace, good jump and 2l lead after 2 out, pushed along and strongly pressed last, ridden and headed 150 yards out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bay Ambition (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Manetti (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Western Honour (11-9) at Ayr 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Chateau Robin (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Held up, headway halfway, chased leaders after 9th, led 11th, strongly challenged from last, headed post, 2nd of 7, nk behind Danboru (12-4) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
