raced keenly and jumped well, tracked leader, led before 3rd (water), 3 lengths ahead going strongly 3 out, very easily
awkward 1st, tracked leading pair, pushed along before 4 out, ridden when weakened 2 out, lost modest 3rd run-in
led until before 3rd (water) where not fluent, chased winner, hit 4 out, 3 lengths down and no impression when jumped left next, no chance with easy winner
held up off the pace in 4th, jumped slowly and pushed along 9th, went modest 3rd run-in
Jameson is only 2lb higher than when only beaten half-a-length over 2m4f here last month but was a bit disappointing next time at Cheltenham and may not appreciate the drop back to 2m. War Sound is proving difficult to place over fences and may struggle to get competitive again despite getting weight from younger rivals. Saint Calvados jumped well on his chasing debut in a similar race over course and distance last month and won easily. He’s only gone up 4lb so a repeat may be on the cards but we were also taken with the manner of TREE OF LIBERTY’s victory at Ludlow and Kerry Lee’s charge also looks a young chaser to follow so gets the nod.
Saint Calvados (FR) 7-4 (11-8) Jumped well, made virtually all, reached for 4 out, briefly pressed 3 out, in command next, shaken up between last 2, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Remiluc (10-11) by 9l, 4 ran.
Jameson 7-4 (11-5) Led until hit 2 out, 3rd and beaten when hung left and collided with taped off rail flat, 4th and well held after, last of 4, 13 1/4l behind Kalondra (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Tree Of Liberty (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Raced freely, led until 5th, led before 4 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Nightfly (10-4) by 11l, 6 ran.
War Sound 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 1st, driven to challenge after 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Rather Be (11-0) at Towcester 2m (3) gs in Dec.
