tracked leader, led between 3 out and 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, tracked leader 7th, led 2 out, ridden and ran on
led, clear 6th, reduced lead 3 out, headed before next, weakened last
in touch, headway 5th, ridden 7th, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on run in
held up, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, ran on run in, not reach leaders
close up, ridden and weakened 3 out
always in rear, mistake 6th, ridden next, tailed off
CHAMPAGNE CHAMP, a prolific winner on the Flat and very much at home of soft ground, found plenty when repelling all-comers in what looked a decent contest at Chepstow last month. He has scope over timber and can defy his penalty. Chosen Path came up against a couple of useful novices here last month and will make sure Rod Millman’s charge doesn’t have things his own way. Equus Amadeus will find this easier than the Grade 2 he contested at Chepstow in October since but his absence since is a concern. Cereal Killer was much too keen on his hurdles bow having been easy to back but he should be capable of better in time.
Champagne Champ 4-1 (11-3) Chased leader, not fluent 6th, led before last, wandered slightly, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb beating Mount Rushmoore (11-3) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Chosen Path (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on run-in and closed on 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 8 1/4l behind Ok Corral (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in rear, never a factor, tailed off and eased after 7th, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Cereal Killer (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Last pair, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Spider's Bite (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
De Name Evades Me (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, rdn to disp aftr 4out, wo appr str, hdd 3out, not qckn from 2out, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Aztec Chief (12-2) at Ballinaboola 3m in Nov.
Gosheven (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, under pressure over 6f out, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Lechlade Magician (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) hvy in Dec.
Mighty Vic (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 30 1/4l behind Jersey Bean (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Quite Right 40-1 (10-10) Last trio, behind when badly hampered 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
