chased leaders, weakened before 5 out, behind when pulled before 3 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway to track leaders after 7th, led 5 out, headed 4 out, rallied under pressure after 2nd last, no extra closing stages
prominent, pushed along 8th, weakened next, behind when pulled up after 5 out
led until 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up next
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, weakened next
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, slow 7th, headway 5 out, soon tracking leader, led 4 out, mistake next, stayed on strongly
Bilbrook Blaze fell at the first on his chasing debut at Sandown so it remains to be seen if that has affected his confidence. Red Riverman finished tailed off on his last start over fences and unseated his rider over hurdles at Taunton last week but there are possibilities about the consistent Tolkeins Tango, though he's still 3lb higher than when successful at Chepstow a year ago and has never won on ground this testing. OUR CAT won over course and distance winner on this card 12 months ago and we're hoping that a return to familiar territory can spark a revival - she might get her own way out in front in this small field. Sunny Ledgend could figure if fully wound-up but, like Long John, struggles to get his head in front.
Tolkeins Tango (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) In touch, went 2nd at 7th, not fluent 10th, effort 3 out, hung left under pressure after last, kept on same pace, finished 2nd demoted to 3rd, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Winston Churchill (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Red Riverman 16-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, unseated rider 3rd, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bilbrook Blaze 9-2 (10-12) In touch on inside when fell 1st, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Our Cat (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, prominent, effort approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake next, soon pulled up, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Sunny Ledgend 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 4th, not fluent 9th, pushed along before 5 out, held before 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 5 3/4l behind Bincombe (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Long John 10-1 (11-12) Always behind, 9th of 11, dist behind No No Cardinal (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
