tracked leaders, led 4th to 8th, regained lead 13th, headed 4 out, stayed challenging, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
behind, hit 7th, well behind when pulled up approaching 12th, bled from the nose
raced wide, held up, headway to track leaders 4th, went 2nd 13th, led 4 out to 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leading trio from 8th, 4th and no chance when blundered 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, driven along 8th, mistake 11th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
led until bumped 4th, soon lost place, struggling 10th, tailed off 13th, bled from the nose
held up in rear, driven along and stayed on under pressure from 4 out, went modest 3rd approaching last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 8th to 13th, stayed challenging, reagained lead 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
always in rear, ridden 8th, struggling 10th, tailed off 13th
The better ground and shorter trip should enable Chamoss Royale to go close, with stablemate Bold Fire, Cloudless Dawn, Petite Margot and Penneyrose Bay all decent rivals. Paul Nicholls is double-handed here, and despite the burden of topweight, we like the claims of Chamoss Royale over Bold Fire. She has won two of her three starts over fences this term, and even in defeat to the useful Fair Question at Plumpton last time, gave a good account, considering that the going was pretty testing. That race was over three-and-a-quarter miles, and the combination of a shorter journey and faster ground should enable her to hopefully figure in the finish, despite topweight. Bold Fire was rated 134 at her best over hurdles, but has not looked an accomplished jumper since going chasing. She got no further than the third at Kempton three weeks ago, but that race was won by Bible Lord who popped in again at Lingfield on Wednesday, so at least the form is sound. In contrast to Bold Fire, northern raider Cloudless Dawn is a very good jumper, and this trip will bring out the best in the big mare. We can see her going well today along with Petite Margot, although her best form since going chasing has been on slower ground. Penneyrose bay has yet to realise her potential but is worth a place in the line-up, but More Likely needs a slog and may be taken off her feet. Harringay won the mares' hurdle final on this card 12-months ago, but has not shown the same spark over fences this term, and all in all, with A P to guide her round, Chamoss Royale has a first-rate chance.
Chamoss Royale (FR) 1-3fav (11-1) Tracked winner throughout, blundered 2 out, soon held, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Fair Question (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Lady of Scarvagh (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Close 5th when unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Cloudy Lane (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs, 24 ran.
Bold Fire 4-6fav (10-4) Led until 2nd, prominent when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Bible Lord (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy, 5 ran.
Cloudless Dawn 4-5fav (11-6) Jumped well, led, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Chickapeakray (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
More Likely 9-2 (11-5) Chased winner, beaten from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Blue Splash (11-9) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Petite Margot 5-2 (11-12) In touch, headway after 11th, chased clear winner from 5 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, well behind Nice Try (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Harringay 7-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, some progress after 13th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 35l behind Wiscalitus (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Penneyrose Bay 4-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left from 2nd, headed 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off from 4 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Senorita Rumbalita (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
Lizzie Bathwick (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division until 11th, gradually faded and pulled up in race won by Tradingup (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
