soon towards rear, never jumped well, detached after 11th, tailed off, left in remote 4th at 2nd last
always in rear, mistake 12th, soon tailed off, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, mistake 12th, headway approaching 3 out, left in remote 3rd next, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out
tracked clear leader, under pressure 14th, soon outpaced, headway 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace
led, soon clear, headed 3 out, weakening and 25 lengths in 3rd when fell last
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, mistake next and 12th, driven when mistake 2 out, drew clear after last
TCHICO POLOS is selected to see off Long Run and Minella Theatre. The selection should be suited by stepping up to three miles having taken third behind the smart Somersby last time. He jumped well that day and although no match for the winner should be better suited by today's extra mile, and of those to have raced in Britain, he sets a decent standard for others to aim at. Long Run was last seen winning a Grade One at Auteuil and as a winner of eight of his 12 career starts there's no doubt he represents a highly promising proposition. His last win was in November so he shouldn't be beaten for lack of fitness. Plenty will be prepared to chance the gelding on his British debut and he's clearly expected to take a high ranking over fences but as his form has all been on very soft ground. He is yet to display his obvious talents here we feel the percentage call is to oppose. Anything Tony McCoy rides at this meeting has to be respected though Minella Theatre does have to find a few pounds in order to be competitive. Pocket Aces, whose hurdle rating leaves him plenty to find, but the seven-year-old does look set to make a considerably better chaser judging by his success last time. Tazbar is an interesting runner and if he's able to go on from a comfortable debut success over fences he could have a say at a potentially rewarding price and his hurdles rating of 158 offers hope although he's capable of throwing in the odd shocker. Ogee is a Grade One winning hurdler who is unbeaten in two starts over fences but this company may prove a step too far for the admirable six-year-old. Fairoak Lad was beaten in a handicap last time and will struggle. There's no doubting the potential of Long Run but we are prepared to take a chance on Tchios Polos.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) In touch, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, driven and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Any Currency (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Led, until narrowly headed 10th, stayed chasing winner until ridden and hit 2 out, one pace last, lost 3rd last strides, 4th of 5, 6l behind Weird Al (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft.
Ogee 2-5fav (11-4) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov stks (3) gf in Oct beating Shore Thing (11-4) by 49l, 4 ran.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden 2 out, 1 length down and staying on when left clear last, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft beating Warne's Way (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 1-3fav (11-2) Held up, headway to track leading pair 5 out, led next, soon in command, drew clear from 2 out, eased right down flat comfortably, won at Musselburgh 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Logans Run (10-11) by 11l, 5 ran.
Tchico Polos (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Led, soon 10 lengths clear, challenged from 3 out, headed last, weakened close home, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Somersby (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) sft.
Long Run (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 6f chs gs in Nov beating Rubi Ball (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
