held up, mistake 1st, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, eased
tracked leaders, led after 6th, mistake 2 out, driven out
led until ran wide and headed after 6th, soon chasing leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure
tracked leader, carried wide after 6th, mistake 8th, effort 3 out, no extra closing stages
held up, headway after 4 out, no impression
Ruacana is a light of former days but the remaining quartet all have a chance of sorts, though Master Dancer may still be a few pounds too high. YOUNG WOLF tries a new trip but is a half-brother to smart staying chaser Lake View Lad so stamina shouldn’t be an issue and he’s just preferred to the consistent and versatile Hepijeu and Manning Estate, who is still unexposed and related to a host of winners, including several stayers, so is another who should enjoy the step up in distance.
Master Dancer 16-1 (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Young Wolf (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) 3rd of 8, 12 1/4l behind Captain Moirette (11-2) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Feb.
Manning Estate (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Victarion (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Hepijeu (FR) 9-2 (11-9) 2nd of 7, 10l behind Monbeg Gold (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ruacana 25-1 (11-12) 6th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Cloudy Glen (11-8) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.