held up in last pair, not fluent 7th, mistake next, no chance from 10th, not jumped well from next
chased leaders after 2nd, not fluent 4th, chased winner after 11th until approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leading pair, mistake and went 2nd 8th until after 11th, 2nd again before 3 out, challenging when fell 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 8th, strongly pressed when left clear 2 out, ridden out
jumped left, led until approaching 8th, soon relegated to 4th, not fluent 4 out, 3rd 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no impression
held up in last pair, blundered 6th, no chance from 10th, mistake 12th, went moderate 3rd after last
It would have been nice to have seen RAZOR ROYALE get his head in front near the end of his hurdling campaign last season to boost his confidence, however he looks the sort to make up into a good chaser and is given the vote accordingly. Although Ring The Boss sets the standard on form over fences, Phillip Hobbs' gelding was let down a little by his jumping and he was sent back over hurdles where he ran well in some big races. If another summer of schooling has helped then he could prove hard to peg back, however we will take a chance on Razor Royale. He has the scope and shape of a chaser and this will have been the plan all along. If Paddy Brennan can get him into a good rhythm on this chasing debut, then, at a track he likes, he may be the one to side with. Quattrocento impressed last time at Southwell when winning easily over a longer trip. His form may not be as solid but there is no doubt that he comes here in fine fettle and is open to improvement. Lester Leaps In steps back up in distance but will need to improve his leaping, whilst Rashartic needs a market check coming back from a long absence for this chasing debut. Sternenzelt looks to be making up the numbers and so we will stick with Razor Royale as the selection.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 7-2 (11-4) Prominent, blundered 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 28l behind Ohana (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Rashartic (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 3rd of 11, 30l behind Valiant Shadow (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb '07.
Razor Royale (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) With leaders, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 8, 27l behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Ring The Boss (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, 13th approaching 3 out, ridden in moderate 6th straight, went 4th at last, closed in 2nd run-in, ran on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 25, nk behind Brave Right (10-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Sternenzelt (GER) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Ohana (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Quattrocento (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Rear of mid-division, steady headway approaching 13th, led approaching 2 out, in command before last, comfortably, won at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept beating Ladino (11-6) by 11l, 12 ran.
