tracked narrow leader, led 8tg, went clear after 16th, slight mistake 2 out, eased after last, very easily
narrow leader, headed 8th, stayed close up, tracked winner to 10th, behind from 16th, no chance with winner from 3 out
Stormez was an intended runner in the abandoned card at Warwick on Thursday and he now looks to have an outstanding chance here. The six-year-old oozes class and has gone from strength to strength this season, winning six of his last eight starts in both novices and handicap company, including a course and distance win last month. Though he can jump to the left, he has a high cruising speed and it would be a bit of a surprise if anything were good enough to beat him here. Of his opponents you could give a bit of a squeak to Iris Royal, who is open to further progress but has around a stone to find with the selection. Nevertheless, he jumps well, stays and if anything is to get to Stormez then Nicky Henderson's gelding appears to be the most likely. Roveretto has been in good heart, but needs to improve a whole lot to be involved here, and so the one for the tricast looks to be Sudden Shock, who has been in a decent standard of racer so far without really threatening to win, but he can put that experience to good use and pick up some decent prize money.
