held up in close 4th, tracked leading pair 7th until 4 out, mistake and weakened next
tracked winner, reached for 4th, over 2 lengths down when blundered 3 out, lost 2nd soon after 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leading pair until 7th, handy, 3rd again 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
jumped well, made all, over 2 lengths ahead and going strongly when left clear 3 out, unchallenged
Lostintranslation has yet to finish out of the first two in three runs on this track but couldn’t match the finishing speed of the mare LA BAGUE AU ROI over a longer trip here at the start of the month. The latter also has a good record on this course and should confirm the form with Colin Tizzard’s novice on the same terms – the pair have the beating of Talkischeap on that run. Spiritofthegames made a winning start over fences at Chepstow but only one of his rivals managed to complete and this looks a tougher assignment conceding weight all round.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 11th, left 2nd 4 out, switched right before 2 out, went left and led last, stayed on to draw clear flat, won at Chepstow 2m 3f lst (1) gd in Oct beating Monbeg Legend (11-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Lostintranslation (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Raced keenly, led until 9th, pressed leader, led again next, hit 2 out and joined, headed between last 2, slightly hampered and switched right run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind La Bague Au Roi (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
Talkischeap (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch, closer in 3rd at 7th (water), stayed on same pace from 3 out, hit next, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind La Bague Au Roi (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 9th until next, pressed leader, not fluent 3 out, challenged next, edged left and led between last 2, hung left run-in, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov beating Lostintranslation (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
