close up, chased leader 6th, left in lead 3 out, ridden and headed last, weakened flat
held up never troubled leaders
held up, headway to chase leaders 10th, hit 13th, weakened after next
held up, behind 9th, pulled up before next
in touch, left in 2nd 3 out, led last, idled flat, ridden out
pulled hard, held up, headway 6th, girths broke approaching next, soon pulled up
led, clear 6th, fell 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on flat
Macnance finished second in a course and distance novices' contest here a month ago and is taken to go one better at the main expense of Lalagune and Pougatcheva. The last mentioned represents the in-form stable of Venetia Williams so lack of a recent run should not be a problem. Lack of chasing experience is of concern though as it is for Alan King's Lalagune, who is entitled to strip fitter for a recent return over hurdles. John Spearing's Angel Delight does have the benefit of a recent outing over the larger obstacles but may well bounce as that was his first run for a year. Sue Smith's Bally's Bak is consistent but may again find at least one too good and of greater interest may be Ferdy Murphy's Toulon Rouge, who hails from a stable in form and showed promise when finding just Classic China too good on his chasing debut at Folkestone last month. The vote though goes to Macnance who was useful over hurdles and showed that he is at least as effective over fences when second to Xellance here in a race that has worked out well.
