led, mistake 9th, soon headed, under pressure 4 out, son weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, effort 3 out, weakening when unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 5th, slow 8th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, no chance with winner
always prominent, led approaching 10th, driven clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly
Withdrawn
Paul Nicholls sent out last year’s winner and saddles Romain De Senam, who won his first two races last season in this grade. Master Dee was last seen winning the Grade 3 Betdaq Chase at Kempton in February and finished behind BALLYBOLLEY here in September last year on more favourable terms. Play The Ace and Catamaran Du Seuil were further behind in that race and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner can race off the same mark today. Calipto went up 9lb for winning at Carlisle in March but is still feasibly treated on his best form and he makes more appeal than novice The Unit and Royal Village.
Master Dee (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway on outside 5 out, driven after next, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb beating Ballykan (10-7) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
Ballybolley (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, weakened from 13th, 7th of 8, dist behind Cut The Corner (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
The Unit (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, poised to challenge 3 out, shaken up after next, ridden to lead before last, drew clear flat, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gf in Aug beating Drinks Interval (10-11) by 3l, 4 ran.
Romain De Senam (FR) 6-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, lost place after 5 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Value At Risk (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Calipto (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 7th, led before 3 out, clear after last, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Pistol Park (11-11) by 8l, 9 ran.
Play The Ace (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 6th, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Canton Prince (12-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Village (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) In touch, mistake 13th, headway and plugging on when left modest 4th 3 out, 4th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Swingbridge (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Catamaran Du Seuil (FR) 11-10fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 2 out, led last, kept on, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Clan Legend (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
