set slow gallop, jumped left 7th, ridden and headed flat, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, sprawled badly on landing 4 out, weakened next, mistake 2 out, lost 3rd close home
held up in rear, outpaced when stumbled badly on landing 4 out and rider nearly unseated, well held after, went 3rd close home
took keen hold, tracked leader, not always fluent, hit 9th, challenged last, led flat, ran on well
Le Precieux arrives in good form but is more exposed than his rivals and carries a penalty for winning a small race at Leicester last week. CLONDAW CASTLE only weakened at the second-last on his chasing bow at Newbury. That was a decent race and he’s been dropped 3lb since so has every chance of a first success over the larger obstacles. Oxwich Bay, on the other hand, has a bit to prove now and Going Gold finished tailed off at Hereford and will need to do better.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up off the pace in 5th, closer approaching 4 out, weakened before next where mistake and stumbled, 5th of 7, dist behind Knocknanuss (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Going Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged from 6th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Amoola Gold (10-9) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Led until fell 4th, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Le Precieux (FR) 5-4jfav (11-8) Chased leaders, 2nd 4th until jumped right and not fluent 7th, led 4 out, soon clear, easily, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Dec beating Cybalko (11-12) by 16l, 3 ran.
