in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
led, blundered and headed 6th, chased leaders after, struggling with a circuit to go, slow 14th and weakened
in touch in rear, headway to chase winner 8th, ridden 4 out, kept on but never able to challenge winner
close up, mistake 7th and droped to rear, tailed off 10th, scrambled over 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leader, led 6th, clear 14th, hit 2 out, ran on
EMPEROR CONCERTO has more to offer as a staying chaser this term and can get his season off to the perfect start by repelling the challenges of his four rivals. Lucy Wadham has her string in good order and this fellow scored on his seasonal reappearance last season so can go well fresh; he also has form over course and distance having run Massasoit close on his chase bow in January and a return to that level of form should see him hard to beat. No Panic swops cheekpieces for a visor following a disappointing run in a hugely competitive Listed handicap at Market Rasen and merits respect but his two previous visits here have met with disappointment. Antonius Caesar is capable but his form figures portray a Scrabble board more often than not whilst Pheidias and Sporting Rebel will need to up their games to be competitive in this contest.
No Panic (IRE) 11-2fav (10-6) Mid-division, lost place after 7th, rear when mistake 8th, soon well behind, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep, 15 ran.
Emperor Concerto 5-4fav (11-5) Led and disputed, led after 3rd until next, led 6th until 11th, chase winner until after 4 out, well held 3rd and driven when hit 3 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Junior (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Pheidias (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led and keen, headed narrowly approaching 4th, remained close up, blundered 11th, regained lead 13th, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 19l behind Swincombe Rock (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gd.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 15-2 (10-10) In touch, not fluent and lost place 8th, behind 10th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Ouzbeck (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Frosted Grape (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.
