tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th until ridden after 3 out, 3rd and well held last
chased winner who went clear 3rd, lost 2nd 9th, 4th and beaten 4 out
soon well behind, pulled up before 9th
jumped well and set good gallop, clear from 3rd, impressive
chased leaders, mistake 4th and 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner
always behind
Diego Du Charmil jumped well when beating stablemate Bagad Bihoue in a match here on his chasing debut. A smart hurdler, he looks to have a bright future over fences but this is no easy task under a penalty. Space Oddity also has 5lb extra having won at Uttoxeter in May but he, too, was a very useful hurdler. Shantou Rock would have completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Exeter in April had he not fallen at the last but this looks a tough start over the larger obstacles for the four-year-old I See You Well. THE UNIT, highly progressive over timber last year, is another making his chasing bow. He might have preferred a bit further but is not short of pace and will be a threat to the two previous winners receiving weight.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 2-5fav (11-2) Tracked sole rival, not fluent 9th, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon clear, impressive, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Sep beating Bagad Bihoue (11-12) by 9l, 2 ran.
Space Oddity (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Made all, mistake 5th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gd in May beating Hargam (11-0) by 9l, 3 ran.
Billy My Boy 9-1 (11-11) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out, 8th of 14, 31l behind Treasure The Ridge (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Shantou Rock (IRE) Evensfav (12-2) Led, clear 5th, shaken up after 3 out, ridden and 4 lengths clear when fell last, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Unit (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway on inside 3 out, driven after 2 out, went 3rd and stayed on final 150 yards, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Pingshou (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
I See You Well (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led last, kept on, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gf in May beating Ossie's Dancer (10-6) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.