led, headed 4 out, 3 lengths down in 2nd and looking held when left in lead last, driven out
held up towards rear, hit 6th, blundered 6 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, left 2nd after last, kept on towards finish
with leader, led 4 out, headed 2 out no extra towards finish
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 6 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, chased leaders approaching 6th, led 2 out, 3 lengths up and going well when fell last
behind, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 9th, weakened 7 out
CALUSA CALDERA can give weight and a beating to his rivals with Call Me Sam and Don't Tell The Wife the possible dangers. Philip Hobbs has made a good start to the season and Calusa Caldera provided him with a winner when readily accounting for his opponents at Ffos Las earlier in the month. He had shown a fair level of form in defeat on occasion last term but that was an improved performance and he's difficult to oppose. Call Me Sam snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when rallying late over course and distance despite not jumping fluently. That was his first run over fences and he's entitled to improve but it's not difficult to pick holes in the form. Don't Tell The Wife has won a bumper and a race over hurdles and is sure to have been well schooled ahead of his chase bow but this trip appears to be a bare minimum and he may find that the others have too much toe. Denny Mac has had a few chances now and looks opposable unlike Calusa Caldera who should take all the beating.
Calusa Caldera (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Raced in 3rd, went 2nd 8th, not fluent 12th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, ridden out (no time taken), won at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Beautiful Vision (11-11) by 5l, 4 ran.
Call Me Sam (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, hampered 2nd, blundered 8th, modest fourth 9th, still only 3rd 2 out, closed on leaders last, led flat, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sep beating Attrapeur (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Denny Mac (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped slowly 7th, never troubled leaders, beaten before 4 out, 6th of 8, 25l behind Silver Steel (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Dont Tell The Wife (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Ran in snatches, never fluent, in touch, hit 5th and 8th, soon behind, 15th of 17, well behind Picture This (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Misbehaviour 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, 9th of 11, 42l behind Bolton Hall (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f Ladies sell hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, ridden and hit 5 out when behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Popsleebobross (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Chased leader until 5th, weakened next, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Zabeel Palace (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Sep.