made all, clever at 7th, clear 10th until 3 out, in control between last 2, went right last, came clear flat
chased leading pair, outpaced 11th, struggling and no chance after, lost modest 3rd towards finish, tailed off
held up last, pushed along and outpaced 11th, soon left behind, plugged on to modest 3rd towards finish, tailed off
chased winner throughout, challenged 3 out, ridden between last 2, soon held
REBEL DU MAQUIS has been highly tried since winning at Taunton in November but looks to have an excellent opportunity to regain the winning thread here. Paul Nicholls' charge capitulated quickly at Newton Abbot last time but was trying to give weight to three useful novices and should find it easier to dominate these. Lady Hillingdon is having her first start since finishing third at Listowel last September while Another Puzzle finished tailed off on his first start under Rules. Chase Gate makes his debut over the larger obstacles having only shown modest form over timber.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 5-2 (11-3) Led, clear 4th until approaching 10th, reminder after 12th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 38l behind Quartz De Thaix (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Another Puzzle 33-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, not fluent 8th, ridden approaching 11th, losing touch when hit 14th, tailed off when mistake 4 out, last of 4, well behind Ballyvesey (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) gd.
Chase Gate 6-1 (11-3) Raced wide, chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 5th until ridden before 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Top Smart (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Lady Hillingdon 9-2 (11-2) Chased clear leader, moderate 3rd halfway, left close 2nd after 6 out, ridden approaching straight, no impression and dropped to 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Glenstal Abbey (11-7) at Listowel 2m 1f nov chs gd in Sep.
