led until driven and headed 3 out, stayed chasing winner, kept on under pressure approaching last, no real impression run in, lost 2nd final strides
pulled hard, settled in 5th, steady headway from 12th, tracked leader 14th, led 3 out, ridden and clear approaching 2 out, driven and kept on run in
raced in 4th, tracked leading pair 11th, mistake 17th, stayed close up, until weakened and mistake last
jumped right, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up after 17th
tracked leaders, mistake and ridden 11th, kept on same pace from 2 out
prominent, outpaced in 4th when blundered 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, kept on well run in to take 2nd final strides, not reach winner
Martin Pipe probably holds the key to this race, given that he sends out Celestial Gold to take on leading rival L'Aventure, on whom he has a form line through Our Vic, and we will side with Pipe's charge here. Celestial Gold was a brave second to Native Emperor in the four-miler here at Cheltenham last month. Quietly fancied by owner David Johnson prior to that, he stays this trip well, is unexposed and after only four starts is open to plenty more improvement, so he is taken to give weight to his leading opponent and score. L'Aventure has a fair bit in hand if official ratings are to be believed, but we have at least seen the measure of his ability in Grade 2 company when second to current Scottish National favourite Simply Supreme at Aintree last time. Nevertheless, he would be ideally suited by softer ground and may just have to give best again on this occasion. Of the remainder, Dear Deal has the most solid form on offer and despite his advancing years he is the one to complete the frame.
