tracked winner, close up when stumbled slightly after 13th, effort when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner approaching 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd flat
held up 3rd and last, outpaced by leading pair 13th, soon lost touch, 15 lengths down 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
made all, driven when pressed 5 out, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Golden Chieftain won well at Uttoxeter in November but ran in snatches when disappointing at Exeter next time and was never travelling when pulled up in a Grade 2 at Warwick latest. He may struggle to beat TEAFORTHREE, who got involved in a battle for the lead in the Feltham at Kempton last time and can be forgiven that effort. An earlier C&D victory reads well as the next three home have all won since. The blinkers are dispensed with on Minella Stars after failing to bring about significant improvement at Wincanton but he's closely matched with Golden Chieftain on the form book and makes more appeal than Roalco De Farges and veteran Round The Horn.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, jumped left next, lost place after 6th, ridden after 11th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Frascati Park (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 22-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 6th, mistake next, hampered 4 out, chased leaders under pressure next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 7l behind Bless The Wings (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Teaforthree (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) With leader and clear to 10th, mistake 8th, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Grands Crus (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Minella Stars (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Pressed leader, led 2nd, headed after 17th, driven to lead again 4 out, headed before next, kept challenging, stayed on, held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Gurtacrue (10-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Round The Horn (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) In rear, not always fluent, headway 3 out, chased winner soon after, challenged 2 out, soon hung right, held flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Devon Native (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
