tracked leader in 3rd, went 2nd before 7th, led run-in, kept on
led, mistake 3 out, clear before last, weakened quickly and headed run-in
with leader, not fluent 5th, reminders 7th and lost 2nd place, kept on to chase winner run-in, held towards finish
in touch and in rear, pushed along before 12th and outpaced, mistake 2 out, never dangerous
Vicenzo Mio hasn’t won since 2013 and never over a trip this far. He is also making his debut over fences but represents a powerful yard and is sure to have been well schooled. Takingrisks ran well behind Starchitect over 2m at Ayr considering he is more of a stayer. This will be a better test of his abilities and he should go well but SPANISH FLEET is an honest sort who deserves a change of luck having been placed in four of his five runs so far over the larger obstacles. He was second over a slightly shorter trip here last time and the heavy going is not a problem. Hawkhurst was tailed off at Catterick last month in a race in which Takingrisks fell two out when looking beaten.
Takingrisks (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, led 3 out, headed last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Starchitect (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Going for gap when hampered approaching 3 out, pushed along before next, ridden and no impression after 2 out, 8th of 15, 8l behind Doesyourdogbite (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Spanish Fleet 14-5fav (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place from 6 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Bernardelli (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Hawkhurst (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, struggling 5 out, soon lost touch, left moderate 4th from 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 34l behind Premier Bond (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
