mostly jumped well, made all and set strong gallop, clear 5 out, rider lost irons when stood off and reached for next, soon recovered, driven clear again before 2 out, stayed on well, unchallenged
chased clear pair throughout, well detached from 9th, kept on from last, never nearer
not always fluent, soon detached in rear, tailed off from 9th, eventually completed
chased winner throughout, not fluent 5th and again 8th, closed up briefly 4 out, blundered next, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance after
A disappointing turnout for a Grade 2 and it should provide a sixth win in nine years for the Paul Nicholls stable in the shape of CYRNAME. A winner at this level over 2m here in December, he was trying to give favourite Terrefort 3lb in the Scilly Isles at Sandown three weeks ago and was only beaten a neck and faces nothing of that one’s calibre in this. The Unit ran well against Willoughby Court at Huntingdon in November but was then put away as he doesn’t really handle winter jumping ground. He will be winning over fences soon but looks held on collateral form by the selection and is also engaged tomorrow at Fontwell. Petrou may find this too sharp and steps out of handicaps while For Good Measure has become disappointing.
Cyrname (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Keen, pressed winner, led narrowly after 3rd until after 7th, pressed winner, ridden to challenge and every chance last, driven and stayed on run-in, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Terrefort (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
For Good Measure (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Held up, well behind 8th, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 7, 14l behind Robinshill (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Petrou (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 2nd before 8th, hit 12th, every chance 2 out and last where bumped, driven and one pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rock The Kasbah (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
The Unit (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, not fluent 10th, hit 3 out and 2 out, not pace of winner flat, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Willoughby Court (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.