tracked leaders, blundered badly 2nd, soon pulled up
tracked leader, pushed along before and mistake 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
led, mistake 3 out, headed before next, one pace
held up in touch, fell 2nd
in rear and in touch, left 3rd from 2nd, beaten before 4 out
Saint Roque only turns up on decent ground and jumped well when obliging at Taunton in November. The Nicholls contender seems sure to give it a good shot here, as could Vintage Vinnie, the best of whom has unquestionably yet to be seen over fences. He is certainly one for the future when he gets his act together and is not discounted. The jury is out on Wicked Spice over fences but THOMAS BROWN scored really smoothly on his Ascot chasing debut, followed by a respectable runner-up effort behind Le Mercurey in a Grade 2 chase last time. There is a slight doubt about the trip but it may be a case of his having a touch too much class for his rivals.
Saint Roque (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, close 3rd 4 out, led last, driven clear, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Royalraise (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Thomas Brown 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 5th until 8th, chased leader until pushed along after 11th, chased leaders until outpaced in 5th next, rallied into 3rd on inside after next, no impression when left modest 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Le Mercurey (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, jumped slowly 3rd, headed 14th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Vicente (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Nov.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden to challenge when hit 3 out, mistake next, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Katkeau (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Wicked Spice (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Behind, reminders after 8th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out, at Kelso 2m 7f (3) hvy in Dec.
