led, clear 4th until approaching 10th, reminder after 12th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next
shared 2nd, jumped slowly 6th and 11th, led approaching 3 out, drew clear next
held up in 4th, headway when mistake 10th, chased winner 3 out, no impression next
shared 2nd until hit 9th and reminders, jumped right and struggling 12th, soon behind, took 3rd close home
This represents a drop in grade for Rebel Du Maquis, who won at Cheltenham and Taunton in the autumn and contested the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown last month. He had a hard race that day, however, and faces no easy task here conceding weight all round. Ikorodu Road was fancied for a competitive handicap at Newbury on Saturday but got no further than the first fence. Unlucky when unseating his rider at the same track previously, Martin Keighley's charge would go close with a clear round but his confidence may need rebuilding so preference is for QUARTZ DE THAIX. Useful over hurdles, the seven-year-old won a shade cosily over a similar trip on his debut over fences at Hereford and has untapped potential. Ace High made a promising start over the larger obstacles at Exeter last month and can't be take lightly either.
Rebel Du Maquis (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, pecked 1st, ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 33l behind Medermit (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Feb.
Quartz de Thaix (FR) 4-7fav (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, driven on long run after last, closed to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Hereford 2m 5f beg chase (4) hvy in Feb beating Swansbrook (11-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Ace High 11-2 (10-12) Raced towards rear, headway 6th, soon tracking leader, led approaching 4 out, headed next, weakened last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Dinarius (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chase (3) sft in Feb.
Ikorodu Road 7-1fav (10-12) Behind until fell 1st, in a race won by Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs, 15 ran.
