tended to jump left, led, hit 1st, jumped slowly 4th, hit 3 out, joined next, headed narrowly soon after, shaken up to lead again last, stayed on well
jumped well, raced keenly, tracked winner, challenged 2 out, led narrowly soon after, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in
chased leading pair, awkward 2nd, outpaced from 9th, no chance after, allowed to come home in own time
CHESTERFIELD is clear of today’s opposition on these terms. A useful hurdler, Seamus Mullins’ charge has placed in both starts over fences and this looks his easiest opportunity so far. Dell Oro has a bit to find with the likely favourite at the weights but has plenty in hand with Notre Ami on form over timber and takes on the larger obstacles for the first time while the latter didn’t get very far before falling at Huntingdon on his chasing bow.
Chesterfield (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, kept on well, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Highway One O One (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Dell Oro (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Held up in touch on inside, headway after 6th, 3rd before 3 out, led on inside before 2 out, shaken up and 3 lengths ahead when hit last, headed last 125 yards, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Who's My Jockey (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.
Notre Ami (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) In touch, headway 5 out, led next, headed after 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Forecast (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.