raced in 4th, slight mistake 1st, moderate 4th and no threat from 9th, completely tailed off
raced in 3rd, slight mistake 6 out, not fluent 3 out, progress to 2nd travelling well entering straight, led approaching 2 out, went clear after 2 out, kept on well, easily
in rear throughout, mistake 9th, no threat after, completely tailed off
led, not fluent 5 out and pushed along from next, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
raced in 2nd, mistake 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd entering straight, mistake 2 out, no extra
CHATHAM STREET LAD won a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham by 15 lengths in December and returned there to perform very well in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices' Chase just 10 days ago. Providing that hasn't taken its toll, that's much stronger form than any of these rivals have produced. Full Time Score has won his two starts over fences with plenty in hand and is a nice prospect though takes on much better rivals here with Defi Bleu arriving in good form having returned to winning ways over this trip on heavy ground at Wexford. Cala Di Volpe looks best of the remaining pair though both have a mountain to climb.
Cala Di Volpe (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders and 5th from halfway, closer in 4th from 3 out and pushed along to challenge before next, ridden in 3rd before last, no impression on principals and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Southerner (12-0) at Clonmel 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, went 4th from last, hung left, no impression, 4th of 8, 8l behind Chantry House (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Chesterville (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Led and soon clear, raced keenly, slight mistake 1st, slight mistake 6th, not fluent and reduced advantage 8th, headed and no extra before 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Johnnys Girl (9-13) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Defi Bleu (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Disputed until led 10th, pushed along entering straight and pressed approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, asserted final 100 yards, won at Wexford 3m 1f hvy in Mar beating Opposites Attract (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Full Time Score (IRE) 2-5fav (12-0) Made all and jumped well, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating Mount Melleray (12-0) by 4 1/2l, 3 ran.
