keen held up in rear, ridden and headway to chase leading pair 2 out, stayed on one pace
disputed lead with winner, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on one pace flat
towards rear, headway to track leaders 6 out, every chance when fell 3 out
mainly disputed lead, mistakes on final circuit, ridden and asserted flat, gamely
in touch, dropped to rear 12th, ridden weakened 2 out
close up, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace
raced wide tracked leading pair, lost place and in touch 9th, headway to track leader 16th, not fluent and lost place 4 out, beaten when hampered next, landed awkwardly at last
Elvis Mail is a Kelso specialist and Protektorat pulled much too hard when attempting to win the Betfair Chase for a second time at Haydock last month, though last season’s Gold Cup fifth has a chance in this if settling better. Threeunderthrufive was second in the Badger Beer at Wincanton on his return to action but this is a big step up in trip for Easy As That. CITY CHIEF was only fourth when favourite over a longer trip here on his reappearance but still had every chance jumping the last and should reverse that form with the winner Malina Girl on 12lb better terms. Broadway Boy is a stayer on an upward curve but he steps out of novice company for the first time over fences, though is 2-3 around here.
Protektorat (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Raced keenly, prominent, not fluent 1st or 5th, led after 6th, headed before 13th, weakened 4 out, last of 4, 28 1/2l behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) sft in Nov.
Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Led until 3rd, chased leader until before 9th, chased leaders out wide, not fluent 13th (water), went 2nd again 4 out, bit closer when hit 2 out, ridden and well held before the last, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Blackjack Magic (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Malina Girl (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Raced on inside, held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway on inside after 17th, chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd going well home turn, led before the last, ridden and came clear run-in, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Cloudy Glen (12-0) by 10l, 13 ran.
Broadway Boy (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-4) Made all, hit 4 out, ridden clear last, won at Cheltenham 3m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Weveallbeencaught (11-4) by 20l, 6 ran.
Elvis Mail (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Held up, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well flat, won going away, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Highland Hunter (10-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
City Chief (IRE) 4-1fav (12-0) Slowly away, soon racing in mid-division on inside, headway tracking leaders 8th, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, no impression and weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Malina Girl (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Rapper 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, struggling and dropped to rear from 10th, pulled up after 12th, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Easy As That (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Towards rear, behind 4 out, 6th of 14, 21l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Back On The Lash 15-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 26th, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
