keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, slightly hampered 8th, led 3 out, driven out
held up in rear, hampered 8th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, hit last, stayed on flat, not troubled winner
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, eased and no chance when pecked 2 out
led, mistake 2nd, fell 8th
chased leader to 6th, left in lead 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace flat
Monita des Bois may have found the race coming to soon when disappointing at Musselburgh last time and receiving weight all round has to be respected but a safer option looks to be Indien Royal, who is preferred to Tonic du Charmil. The selection has shown his winning form over further but has plenty of good placed efforts over trips similar to today's and is the most accomplished jumper in the field. Folkestone winner Roofing Spirit was probably flattered by his proximity to the useful Kadount at Wincanton last time when he was the only other winner and of more interest is Tonic du Charmil. Martin Pipe's gelding is less exposed than most of these over fences and has shown gradual improvement but his jumping remains of concern. Neither Squeeze nor Tunes of Glory look good enough and a bigger threat is likely to come from the ex-French Monita des Bois, although that latest effort at Musselburgh is of concern. This may be short of the best trip for Indien Royal but his jumping ability may win him the race.
Indien Royal (FR) 7-2 Held up, headway from 15th, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 21l behind Tell Tale at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Mar.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 28-1 Held up towards rear, outpaced 6th, headway 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, ran on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Kadount at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Tunes Of Glory (IRE) 16-1 In touch, mistake and lost place 10th, behind and jumped right from next, last of 6, well behind Schuh Shine at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (D) gd in Mar.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 9-4fav Tracked leader, led 5th, blundered 10th, ridden when headed 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Croix De Guerre at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (D) gf.
Monita Des Bois (FR) 9-4 Tracked leader, blundered 7th, soon weakened, hit 9th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ebinzayd at Musselburgh 3m nov chs (B) gf in Feb, 6 ran.
Squeeze (IRE) 14-1 Towards rear when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Major Euro at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd, 11 ran.
