pressed leader, challenged from 11th, not fluent 14th, led and went right 4 out, clear next, eased flat
not fluent, tracked leading pair 1st, mistake 10th, soon outpaced and no chance with leading duo, continued tailed off
led, slight mistake 8th (water), headed 4 out, immediately beaten
reluctant and dropped to last 1st, never travelled or jumped after, blundered badly 5th, tailed off when blundered 8th (water), pulled up before next
DAWN COMMANDER was disappointing over fences first time round but hopefully a spell back over hurdles will have taught him to respect his obstacles more. He's a dour stayer and may have too much for these if his jumping holds up. Silver Commander looks the danger on seconds at Ludlow and Fontwell in the spring. He's yet to win a race under Rules but it only looks a matter of time before he puts that right. Virginia Ash was well backed on his chasing bow at Fontwell but got rid of Joe Tizzard at the second fence. A confidence-booster may be in order, though he's still preferred to the disappointing Redlynch Rock.
Dawn Commander (GER) 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leading trio, hit 1st, lost 4th at 6th, driven in 4th after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Aimigayle (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in Sep.
Redlynch Rock (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, jumped badly right 9th, soon weakened and tailed off, 4th of 6, 27l behind Changing The Guard (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
Silver Commander 7-4fav (11-0) With leader, jumped slow 1st, tracked leader, led before 11th, pressed from 2 out, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Deireadh Re (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gs in May.
Virginia Ash (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Kings Lodge (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd, 6 ran.
