jumped slightly right at times, made all, clear 2 out, not fluent and reduced lead last, looked vulnerable briefly flat, found more and going away towards finish
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd and mistake 2 out, well held when not fluent last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, switched right and looked like challenging briefly flat, no impression towards finish
NonRunner
NonRunner
Hometown Hero had a favourite’s chance in the 2.00 at Leicester yesterday and would have to carry overweight in this. Elvis Mail hasn’t done a lot wrong this season but Nick Alexander fits him with cheekpieces today so must think there is more in the tank. Third in the valuable Sky Bet Chase last month at Doncaster, he should go close again but DUBAI DAYS is also a previous course winner and another who is almost guaranteed to run his race. He is getting 15lb from the aforementioned and 25lb from last month’s impressive all-the-way Musselburgh winner Minella Drama. Doyen Breed is more of a staying type and hasn’t fired so far this term.
Minella Drama (IRE) 5-2fav (12-0) Jumped well, made all, pressed for lead 4 out, ridden before 3 out, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, extended lead with good jump last, stayed on well run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Cooper's Cross (10-11) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Elvis Mail (FR) 28-1 (11-5) Pushed along in rear early, jumped right 1st, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on one pace for remote 3rd, never threatened, 3rd of 11, 9 1/2l behind Cooper's Cross (10-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (1) gd in Jan.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Off the pace and always rear-division, tailed off 5 out, bad mistake 3 out, pulled up before next, at Musselburgh 3m 7f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Dubai Days (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 11th, headway 4 out, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, led towards finish, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Readysteadybeau (10-13) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Hometown Hero (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Prominent, not fluent 8th, briefly ridden before 11th, pushed along and headway before 4 out, chased clear leader 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, led outright approaching last where jumped left, kept on but headed on the post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Tip Top Mountain (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
