chased leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, took closer order after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on strongly towards finish, just failed
jumped slowly and soon in rear, headway 4 out, driven to challenge next, weakened 2 out
made all, hard driven after 3 out, held on gamely (2 fences omitted)
prominent, hung right under pressure after 2 out, soon one pace, weakened flat
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, effort next, no extra after last
TAKINGRISKS (NAP) has shown further progress since winning last year’s inaugural running and landed a Listed chase at Newcastle in November. He struggled over hurdles on his return but Nicky Richards’ charge is fancied to come good again back over the larger obstacles and gets the vote. Stablemate My Old Gold returned a losing favourite at Doncaster having won at the same track earlier while last year’s runner-up Jepeck has won over hurdles and fences subsequently though now has something to prove off his current mark. Le Rocher wasn’t at his best at Sandown last month looking to end a long losing run and the remaining duo arrive in poor form.
Takingrisks (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 34l behind Silva Eclipse (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
My Old Gold (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Raced wide, held up, not fluent 1st, headway 12th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 15 1/4l behind Burtons Well (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Le Rocher (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and plugged on in modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Deise Aba (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Seeyouatmidnight 9-2 (10-12) Held up in 4th, chased front pair 8th (usual 11th), mistake and lost place next, weakened before 3 out (usual 5 out), tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) hvy in Feb.
Jepeck (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, hit 5th and lost place, well behind 11th, tailed off 15th, rallied went remote 4th and jumped right 2 out, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Ballyoptic (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Bally Longford (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, never in contention, mistake 4 out, 7th of 9, 37 1/2l behind Roll Again (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
