pressed winner from 2nd, pushed along before 5 out, ridden before next, no impression before 3 out, 3rd and beaten soon after
led until not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, left well behind from next, tailed off
led 1st, made rest, not fluent 5th, pushed clear before 3 out, in no danger after, driven out, comfortably
tracked leaders hit 6th, driven to chase front pair 4 out, went 2nd after next, ridden between last 2, kept on, no chance with easy winner
ROCKY’S TREASURE (NAP) kept on really well behind Santini in this grade at Newbury. That was his first defeat over the larger obstacles and he’s proving a much better chaser than hurdler. King Of Realms produced a taking performance when landing a novices’ handicap at Ascot and there should be more to come while Coup De Pinceau is two from two over fences having beaten small field at Exeter and Ludlow. Theclockisticking only won a match at Fakenham and this is a much tougher assignment.
Coup De Pinceau (FR) 7-2 (11-8) 2nd until 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 13th, led from 3 out, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m (3) sft in Dec beating Darius Des Bois (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
King Of Realms (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Made most until before 15th, pressed leader, led again strongly pressed kept on gamely, won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Spider's Bite (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Led until 7th, led again 10th until 12th, chased leader, led again approaching 3 out, 1 length ahead last, hung left headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Santini (11-2) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) sft in Dec.
Theclockisticking (IRE) 1-12fav (11-4) Made all, jumped left at times, clear approaching last, comfortable, won at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Nov beating Len Brennan (11-4) by 5l, 2 ran.
