mid-division, headway 17th, ridden, in 3rd and 4 lengths down when fell 2 out
hit 7th, always towards rear
tracked leaders, led 6th to 10th, led again 13th, ridden after 4 out, headed last, weakened flat
prominent, led 10th to 13th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
led to 6th, lost place after 14th, rallied last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden after 19th, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind
tracked leaders, hit 11th, 5th when blundered 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, hit 6th, headway 10th, ridden and switched left approaching 2 out, switched right and led last, drew clear flat, eased towards finish
always behind, blundered 13th, soon pulled up and dismounted
Kausse De Thaix should be capable of seeing off Black Smoke and Toulon Rouge in the stayers' handicap. Owner Andrew Cohen knows all about winning stayers and his Suny Bay was a regular site round the Haydock track a couple of years ago. Its unfair to suggest that Kausse De Thaix is in that category but he is an adequate jumper who stays well and this looks to be an obvious opportunity against much more exposed rivals. Black Smoke was well behind Kausse De Thaix on their meeting at Towcester but he enjoys a 29lb pull at the weights for a 20 length beating. A dour stayer, he is with the right man to take full advantage of a low handicap mark. Toulon Rouge has been called a few names in the past. Ferdy Murphy has sent out a few winners of late but the absence of Tony Dobbin, who seems to have developed such a good understanding with her, is a severe negative. Free To Run has been running poorly of late and is unconsidered on this occasion. Ta Ta For Now has bits and pieces of form that entitle him to consideration including a good second to Briar's Mist at Ayr over 3m5f earlier in the month. The pair reoppose today. Kausse De Thaix should have too much class for these and is not opposed.
Toulon Rouge (IRE) 16-1 Made most to 9th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 31l behind Cetti's Warbler at Uttoxeter 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (A) gs.
Buzybakson (IRE) 66-1 Behind from 7th, ridden 9th, tailed up when pulled up 5 out in race won by Glen Warrior at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (B) gs, 11 ran.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 3-1fav Prominent, led 13th, mistake next, headed 15th, not fluent 17th and next, led soon after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Gray's Eulogy at Sandown 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Briar's Mist (IRE) 4-1fav With leader, hit 7th, led 10th, ridden after 3 out, hung left run-in, all out, won at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd beating Ta Ta For Now by a hd, 9 ran.
Happy Hussar (IRE) 9-2 Prominent, led 9th to 10th, ridden 3 out, struggling when fell 2 out in race won by Jordans Lad at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Free To Run (IRE) 11-1 Prominent, ridden 11th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Hazeljack at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft.
Ta Ta For Now 7-1 Tracked leaders, hit 15th, joined leader 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on run-in, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Briar's Mist at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
To The Future (IRE) 3-1fav With winner, reminders after 1st, reminders again approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit next, one pace, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Moon Mist at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Feb.
Black Smoke (IRE) 7-2fav In touch, ridden approaching 5 out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 12l behind Menphis Beury at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Just Strong (IRE) 7-2co-fav Led to 3rd, remained close up, ridden 14th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Mac's Supreme at Newcastle 3m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
