held up last but in touch, tracked leaders 6th, went 2nd next, left in clean lead 4 out, 12 lenghts clear last, heavily eased flat
raced keenly, pressed leader, led 4th, clear next, mistake 8th, blundered and fell 4 out
close-up, left 2nd 4 out, lost 2nd between last 3, poor 3rd when pecked 2 out, lost moderate 3rd near finish
led to 4th, stayed chaser leader to 8th, kept on under pressure to take 2nd between last 3, no impression when jumped left last
jumped left 1st and not fluent next, keen tracking leaders until jumped slowly and dropped rear 6th, stayed on to take poor 3rd near finish but no chance
In an interesting five-runner affair, we will opt for Terre de Java but you could build a case for each of the runners. Terre de Java is a French import who has shown plenty of promise in his native land and in this country over hurdles. He is interesting on his chasing debut and, accordingly, gets the vote. Sharmy is now three pounds above the mark from which he won at Huntingdon in March and, with a fitness advantage over Terre de Java, has to be seriously considered. Gotham is another to have shown plenty of promise in a light career to date and, if fit after a 332 day lay-off, has to be considered, while Tony McCoy is an interesting booking for Soeur Fontenail, a novice chase winner at Plumpton 18 months ago. Finally. My Galliano's chance is certainly not a forlorn one off feather weight in what is, as we say, a interesting race. However, once again, we will side with Terre de Java.
