tracked leader 2nd, led 5th until after 7th, led 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, edged right and led again flat, stayed on gamely
tracked leader until 2nd, outpaced 8th, not fluent 10th, rallied 12th, every chance after 4 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead and dived at last, bumped and headed flat, held close home
led, jumped left 2nd, headed and ridden from 5th, led after 7th until 9th, hit 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
Kaituna has failed to complete either of her two starts over fences and Chepstow winner Massini Sunset hasn't figured since his third at Ffos Las in March. Princely Hero has claims on last month's second to Double Chocolate over these fences, albeit over a longer trip, but it's hard to get away from course specialist VENETIAN LAD. He's up another 5lb for landing a hat-trick of chases at this track but that looks unlikely to prevent him recording his fifth course win of the year.
Kaituna (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, close up when fell 3 out, in a race won by Alasi (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares nov ch (4) gs in Dec, 5 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Ran in snatches and held several positions, slow and reminder 13th (water), chasing leaders next, went 3rd before 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 7, 38l behind Inside Dealer (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in May.
Venetian Lad 3-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, led next, soon hard pressed, kept on under pressure closing stages, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating River D'or (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Princely Hero (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent 14th or 15th, ridden 3 out, not fluent last, rallied flat, closing near finish, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Double Chocolate (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) gs in Oct.
