raced wide, raced in 4th, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd briefly 3 out, 4th when went right 2 out, soon struggling
prominent, mostly chased leader before 3rd, not fluent 5th, blundered 7th, hit 3 out, led and not fluent last, driven on long run from last, stayed on well
chased leader until before 3rd, chased leading pair, mistake 6th and ridden, lost 3rd after 3 out, weakened soon afte, tailed off
led, 4 lengths ahead 3 out, reduced lead next, headed last, lost 2nd on long run soon after, weakened
held up last, headway to 3rd 2 out, chased winner on long run from last, stayed on under pressure, always held
RILEYEV was clear of Mujamead when only going down by a short-head to Ours over this C&D eight days ago. That was easily his best attempt yet in eight starts over the larger obstacles and he must surely take all the beating today off the same mark if he doesn't get bogged down in the heavy ground. Catholic Hill may be capable of improving on what he has shown so far in chases while the Irish mare Fitzgutentyte should be suited by the switch to fences having been placed in point-to-points in the autumn. She's preferred to Betty Browneyes, who was a very modest performer over hurdles and beat only one home on her chasing bow at Taunton earlier this month.
Fitzgutentyte (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 4th 4 out, weakened next, trailing when pulled up before last, in a race won by Golden Sunbird (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy, 18 ran.
Rileyev (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Held up in touch in rear, closed 2 out, challenged last, driven and 1/2 length down 100 yards from finish, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Ours (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Mujamead 9-2 (10-10) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed last, weakened final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Ours (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Betty Browneyes 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear and keen, blundered 5th, jumped slowly 7th, weakened from 4 out, pecked last, 6th of 7, 18l behind Guns of Love (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Catholic Hill (USA) 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, in rear when badly hampered 6th, struggling from 5 out, went poor 3rd 3 out until after last, 4th of 8, 20l behind Prince Tam (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
