tracked leader until 6th, not fluent 10th or 11th, outpaced from next, weakened 4 out
held up in touch in rear, headway 12th, outpaced 4 out, mistake and weakened next
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, struggling 10th, well behind 4 out, plugged on before last, went 3rd flat, no impression
led, ridden and headed before 3 out where not fluent, no impression on winner from next
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd from 6th until before 4 out, one pace next, not fluent and weakened 2 out
held up in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, led approaching next, clear 2 out, easily
It's a long time since Rio Milan showed any sign of form and though dropped 4lb still looks too high. Rossa Parks has made too many mistakes and hasn't progressed since early promise though Richard Johnson gets on with her well. Generous Chief has yet to finish in the first two in any race and his jumping has been novice in his two runs over fences while Kings Apollo, who looked a certain future winner when runner-up at Ludlow, disappointed when fancied to go one better at Taunton on Thursday. CRESCENT BEACH won over shorter here in December and finished runner-up over this trip on a subsequent visit in February. He's run poorly since his return but obviously likes it here and is handed the vote. Buddy Love made his debut over fences over the minimum trip at Towcester a couple of weeks ago. He didn't perform badly and will this providing much more of a stamina test he looks the main threat.
Rio Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Raced in last pair and not always fluent, losing touch 11th, behind from next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by No Duffer (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Rossa Parks (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway on inside 11th, jumped left and not fluent 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out where again jumped left and not fluent 2 out, last of 5, 12l behind Milgen Bay (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Generous Chief (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, lost place 9th, rallied before 4 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 14l behind Shady Sadie (9-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Kings Apollo 5-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders after 7 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Ballyegan (9-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
Crescent Beach (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) In rear, improved to 4th at 8th, ridden 12th, no impression, 4th of 5, 23l behind Frizzo (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Buddy Love 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked winner, slipped on bend before 5th, ridden and no impression on winner 2 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Dance Floor King (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
