prominent, led 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, soon came under a drive, lost position 3 out, weakened after last, lost 3rd close home
held up in midfield, travelled well 12th, disputed lead 2 out, ridden and every chance on approach to last, tired on the run-in, not match for winner
led, lost position 2nd, pushed along and led again 2 out, under pressure approaching last, ran clear flat, impressively
held up, not fluent 10th, well behind before 3 out, never a danger
in rear, struggling before 4 out, pulled up soon after
tracked leader, close up after 7th, led before 3 out, headed on approach to next, lost further ground before last, cajoled along and kept on well again flat, up again for 3rd close home
Captain Chaos held on to win by a neck at Ascot last month and is 5lb higher. Gardefort steps up in distance after placing over 2m4f at Sandown and MY OLD GOLD (NAP) returns to today’s trip having been narrowly beaten in last year’s renewal. She’s won off a higher mark here subsequently and Nicky Richards’ mare should make another bold bid today. Late Romantic won a veterans’ chase at Haydock in December while Smooth Stepper scored over a longer trip at the same track at this time last year. Duke Debarry scored over 2m4f here when last in action but that was back in 2019.
Captain Chaos (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led until 3rd, most chased leader after, led again 3 out, clear before next, reduced lead towards finish, all out, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb beating Regal Encore (11-10) by hd, 10 ran.
My Old Gold (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Chased leaders, over-jumped 2nd, hit 7th, pushed along after 11th, went 2nd 3 out, edged left before last, edged left and held flat, 2nd of 4, 5 1/2l behind Midnight Tune (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (2) hvy in Feb.
Smooth Stepper 9-1 (10-8) In touch, dropped to rear 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Late Romantic (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake 8th, headway before 10th, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd before next, one pace and held after, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Golden Sovereign (10-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Duke Debarry (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 3 out, drew clear after next, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Pookie Pekan (11-8) by 10l, 9 ran.
Gardefort (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led briefly 6th, chased leader until before 11th (water), chased leaders in 3rd, rallied and closed on 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Alnadam (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
