chased leaders, slow 6th, weakened 5 out, moderate 4th
led, jumped slowly throughout, headed 7th, rallied after 3 out, kept on well closing stages, never reached winner
in touch, slow 1st, chased leaders 4 out, never a threat
promiennt, lost place 6th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after next
took keen hold tracking leaders, led 7th, blundered 2 out, hard ridden when challenged after last, stayed on strongly
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT should be sharper for a chasing debut at Market Rasen where he finished third. A smart hurdler last season, he can go close in this if running anywhere near his mark over timber. Aso is another useful sort over hurdles but a blunder cost him when he finished a well-beaten second over fences at Newbury recently. Helium is more exposed and has already won three chases, though he failed to cope with a hike in the weights at Ludlow last time and Captain Hox has shown little over fences so far. Killone makes his debut under Rules having placed in a point-to-point back in March.
Helium (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, hampered 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind Sir Valentino (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Aso (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, blundered and nearly unseated rider 4 out, 3rd next, went 2nd approaching the last, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Arzal (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Captain Hox (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear until slipped and unseated rider before 3rd, at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Killone (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Ld & disp, chall & hdd 2out, no ex bef last, 3rd of 9, dist behind Froggy (11-11) at Rathmorrissey 3m mdn gd in Mar.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 15-8jfav (10-7) Tracked winner, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 6, 15 3/4l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Oct.
