held up in touch, chased leader 4, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last
held up in touch, chased leader approaching 2 out, led before last, driven out
tracked leader, mistake 2nd, slow 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, every chance next, stayed on well flat
led, mistake 6th and 11th, jumped right 2 out, soon headed, bad mistake last, not recover
Cigarillo shaped well on his chase debut, and can oblige now, with Don Valentino and Chantoue Royale likely to give him most to do. Cigarillo was strongly fancied when lining up at Hereford just over a fortnight ago, but although it was obvious that he had been taught his job well, he found one too good in Bronzesmith. Noel Chance wastes no time in putting the six-year-old up in trip slightly, and he should have the legs of his opponents, the best of whom may be Don Valentino. Pulled up in the soft ground at Uttoxeter on his second start over fences, he will find conditions much more to his liking here, and with the Tom George team in a bit of form, can go well. Chantoue Royale may find the going to firm here but there was nothing wrong with the ex-French mare's success over fences at Fontwell, and when the ground turns in her favour she can pay to follow in this type of company. Second Paige will need the run, and everything looks set for Cigarillo to burn off the opposition here.
