PASCHA BERE attempted to give 8lb away to Tocca Fero at Ascot and subsequent events have shown that under the circumstances this was a very tough task indeed. American Trilogy hasn't always been the most straight forward of horses but the County Hurdle winner is a very interesting recruit to chasing and the market will give us its own tale. Rougham did not do a great deal wrong at Ludlow and a novice chase is surely at his mercy at this stage of the campaign, especially in receipt of the four-year-old allowance against his elders. The remainder appear to have it all to do.
American Trilogy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear and off the pace, headway after 3 out, weakened to 8th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd, 10 ran.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 20-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, went 3rd at 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered last, lost 3rd flat, last of 4, well behind Tullamore Dew (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) hvy.
Pascha Bere (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon hard driven, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Quartano (GER) 16-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, under pressure 5 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 35l behind Radium (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Shadow Dancer (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pecked 2nd, mistake 7th, soon outpaced, plugged on same pace from 3 out, 6th of 7, 17l behind Darby's Turn (11-1) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Rougham 10-11fav (10-7) Led, jumped slow 1st, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, headed 3 out, rallied to chase winner after last, hampered final 100 yards, kept on, held close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Sway (9-11) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gs.
