led, hit 5th, headed 2 out, ridden on long run-in, rallied towards finish, ran on
prominent, steadied and lost place approaching 3rd, pushed along and struggling when stumbled slightly 9th
chased leader, led 2 out, ridden on long run-in, all out
held up and behind, steady progress 9th, no impression from 2 out
took keen hold, soon in touch, ridden on long run-in, squeezed through towards finish, ran on
always in rear, pushed along after 8th, tailed off from 3 out
Diplomate Sivola will need to improve markedly on his form in hunter chases earlier this year to make an impact over fences. Our Three Sons has only won a match so far over the larger obstacles and isn’t improving and Royal Plaza has also gone backwards since winning over a shorter trip here in June. VIVAS (NAP) was a consistent sort in competitive handicap hurdles last season and looks fairly treated on his chasing bow so gets the nod ahead of fellow chasing newcomers Zen Master and Cheque En Blanc.
Royal Plaza 50-1 (11-8) Raced keenly, close up, led 3rd, joined 6th, headed narrowly 5 out, led again next, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 5th of 6, 25 1/4l behind Caid Du Lin (11-2) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Our Three Sons (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked winner, mistake 1st, challenged 13th, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Monbeg Legend (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Vivas (FR) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last where pecked, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Cultivator (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Zen Master (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders on inside next, went 2nd when not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Atomic Rumble (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Diplomate Sivola (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace before last, no impression on winner, 3rd of 11, 11 3/4l behind Mantou (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (6) gd in Apr.
Cheque En Blanc (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
