raced keenly, pressed leader, jumped big 2nd and 3rd, led 4 out, clear flat, eased towards finish
made most until pecked 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from 2 out
tracked leaders, closed 11th, every chance 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, no extra
held up, closed 4 out, shaken up next, ridden to chase winner before last, no impression flat
Asockastar ran very well in hot contests at Cheltenham and Stratford last summer and is the one to beat on that form. But he’s returning from a break so JUST CAUSE is just preferred on this occasion as he’s had a couple of runs between the flags recently and beat a useful pointer at Cottenham in December. Chase Me has a mountain to climb on these terms and Downbythestrand will probably need this.
Asockastar (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 10th, clear when jumped left 15th, headed when mistake last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Chosen Dream (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in Jun.
Chase Me (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Lost tch 11; wl bhnd 15, 3rd of 13, 25 1/4l behind Classico Dais (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m mdn gd in Dec.
Downbythestrand (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Lft in ld 2; hdd 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Cheltenham Mati (11-3) at Mollington 3m in Apr.
Just Cause (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Ww; stdy hdwy 14; went 2nd aft 3 out; led aft bypassing last; drvn out, won at Cottenham 3m gd in Dec beating Mr Mix (12-0) by nk, 6 ran.
