held up in touch, slow jump 1st, closer order 11th, left 2nd 14th, ridden to chase clear winner when weakening and blundered 2 out
held up in touch, going well when badly hampered 4 out, ridden to chase winner next, weakened flat
held up rear, mistake 12th, hampered 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
led, hit 5th, not fluent 9th, headed 11th, left in lead 4 out, driven clear approaching 2 out, comfortable
tracking leaders until ridden 13th, fell next
tracked leaders until led 11th, mistake and fell 4 out
held up, keen, mistake 11th, ridden when hampered 4 out, stayed on from 2 out to take 2nd flat
Ballyrobert has begun to make up for lost time this season winning all three starts so far but a 5lb rise for his most recent success at Ascot leaves Nick Gaselee's gelding with more to do now and preference is for Tucacas, who is taken to confirm his superiority of last week over Ruby Gale. Admittedly the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is 5lbs better in for one-and-a-half lengths with the selection on running over this trip at Wincanton but the stiff uphill finish should help Martin Pipe's gelding, who's superior stamina is taken to win the day. Flinders Chase seems to be facing an uneven battle against the handicapper, while Curtins Hill could also do with being dropped a couple of pounds. The Extra Man disappointed at Sandown last time and a bigger danger may come from Ballyconnell, who represents the in-form stable of Venetia Williams but the vote goes to Tucasas, who is taken to defy the burden of top weight.
