led until mistake 3rd (water), chased leader to 5th, 3rd when fell next
hit 1st, held up in rear, pushed along after 8th, no chance 4 out, kept on run-in to press for 3rd near finish
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, hit 9th, led 4 out, driven and in command approaching 2 out, very easily
not fluent, held up in rear, ridden and struggling 8th, no chance 4 out, kept on from last, went 3rd near finish
chased leaders, hampered and left 3rd at 6th, jumped right last 3, kept on run-in to take 2nd but never anywhere near winner
chased leader, led 3rd (water), headed 4 out, hit 3 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened badly run-in
Nicky Henderson has his string in magnificent form so we will side with RIVERSIDE THEATRE in this beginners' chase; the list of dangers is headed by Lady An Co and Captain Americo. The selection has been off the track since April when he was a little disappointing, but the race wasn't really run to suit that day and he had previously been running really well. He goes well fresh and he will handle the ground so a strong case can be made for him on his chasing debut. Paul Nicholls won this race last year and Lady An Co is his representative today. She is making her British debut here but she has shown some solid form in France, particularly over hurdles, and her trainer does excel with his imports from that that part of the world. Captain Americo chased home Take The Breeze at Exeter earlier in the month when he jumped very well. He was no match for the winner that day but he is clearly going the right way over fences and he merits respect. Calusa Crystal ran well on her chasing debut at Sandown earlier this month and as she was making her seasonal reappearance it is fair to assume that she should come on for the run. This is a competitive event and the vote is given to Riverside Theatre.
Captain Americo (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) With leader, mistake 4th, led 7th, headed approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace, awkward on landing 2 out, went 2nd last but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Take The Breeze (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft.
Gibbonsgrove (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Mostly 6th, went 3rd/4th from 9th, 6th 4out, 4th next, prog to 2nd bef last, ld flat, kow, won at Dundrum 3m ire ptp in Mar '07 beating Phoudamour (11-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
Riverside Theatre 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 5th last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 sft in Apr.
Al Co (FR) 17-2 (10-7) Soon with leader, led after 6th, headed 9th, soon led again, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Burton Port (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Calusa Crystal (FR) 9-2 (10-8) Chased leader, led 10th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, not fluent last, 2nd of 3, 17l behind Crack Away Jack (11-1) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gd.
Lady An Co (FR) 1-2fav (10-12) won at Vittel(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl gd in Aug, 10 ran.
