close up, chased leader 8th, led 4 out, soon clear, unchallenged after
not jump well, mid-division, ridden and weakened 5 out
held up mid-division, headway to go 3rd at 10th, ridden 13th, weakened before 4 out
not jump well, mid-division, lost place after 4th, ran on flat, never dangerous
held up, ridden 9th, slow 15th, pulled up next
led, clear 6th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, not jump well, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leader until 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching last
close up, weakened 15th, pulled up 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd at last, no chance with easy winner
Kerstino Two should prove too strong for his rivals here with Sitting Duck and Polar Scout the others to consider. The selection could not have been any more impressive when winning at Ludlow last time defeating Mayoun. That was his first run for a new yard and we suspect there may be more to come. Nominal improvement would make him hard to beat on ground that suits and he gets the confident vote. Sitting Duck rates the main danger as he won well when last seen out when beating Jupon Vert. However, that last run was back in March and he may just need the outing today on his seasonal reappearance. Polar Scout ran well over hurdles last time when finishing second behind Time Marches On, form that has worked out well. He is better over the bigger obstacles and with ground conditions to suit he should go well despite his burden of top weight. Aston fell when travelling well at Fakenham last time and if his confidence has not been dented by that then he would be worth consideration. However, for the winner we are happy to return to the progressive Kerstino Two.
Kerstino Two 7-4fav (11-10) Jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, comfortably, won at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Oct beating Mayoun (11-1) by 17l, 6 ran.
Rash Moment (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway 15th and fell 4 out in race won by Terramarique (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Aston (USA) 9-2 (11-2) Mistake and fell at the 2nd in race won by Gaelic Flight (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
The Holy Bee (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) With leader, led 13th to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Rash Moment (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Sitting Duck 6-1 (10-4) Led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar beating Jupon Vert (11-8) by 4l, 9 ran.
Strong Magic (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 14th, kept on, not a danger, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Gaelic Flight (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Vandante (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hit 7th, one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Sam Adamson (9-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Sept.
Polar Scout (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Not fluent, held up, steady headway 8th, chased winner 3 out, upsides next, held last, just held on for 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Time Marches On (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in May '05.
