tracked leaders, nearly unseated rider 2nd, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened next
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
close up, led 3rd until 8th, still close enough when fell next
held up in touch, ridden 8th, weakened next
in rear, behind 4th, tailed off when pulled up 8th
tracked leader, led 8th, ridden 2 out, pressed last, driven out
led until 3rd, tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, challenged last, chance when pecked on landing, ridden and kept on
RIO GAEL is closely related to useful 2m chaser Palarshan among others so there's every reason to expect he'll prove just as good over the larger obstacles as he is over hurdles. Providing he jumps adequately, this novice event looks at the mercy of Peter Bowen's five-year-old's as he was in a different class to today's rivals over timber. Closesthingtocrazy's second at Downpatrick in September is the best form of those with experience over fences, though he's been campaigned over hurdles since.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 22-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, held up in rear, rapid headway to lead after 4th, ridden and headed before 3 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd before last, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Zhukov (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Closesthingtocrazy 5-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to 3rd before 6th, went 2nd 3 out, dropped to 3rd after 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 30l behind Domino Dancer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Eco Boxer (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Tracked winner from 2nd, weakened from 5 out, blundered 3 out, 5th of 7, 47l behind Rupin (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf.
Kyathos (GER) 11-1 (10-3) Led, ridden when blundered and headed 2 out, no danger after, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Sarahs Gift (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Penyfan Man 8-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to, 4th of 9, 44l behind Half A Litre (12-0) at Clifton-on-dunsmore 3m ptp gd.
Rio Gael (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 22, 16l behind Eradicate (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd.
Cat Six (USA) 25-1 (11-5) Close up, mistake 4 out, weakened soon after, no chance when blundered 2 out, 9th of 15, 28l behind Cinderella Rose (11-1) at Ascot 2m 6f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.