tracked leaders, ridden when blundered 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd at last
close up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch in rear, jumped right 5th, ridden and headway 2 out, went 3rd at last
led, not fluent 9th, reminders soon after, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on
in touch in rear, hampered 5th, pushed along 7th, behind 9th, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led 2 out, clear next, readily
Templier, a winner over hurdles here, was making his debut over fences at Huntingdon last month and, though not impressing with his jumping, should have come on for the experience. MICQUUS appeared suited to dropping down to 2m1f when gaining his first ever victory here last month but is only up 1lb so there's no reason he shouldn't go well again and he looks the one to be on. Champion Chase has never won and has changed stables while Drewmain Legend, who makes his chasing bow, gained his only hurdles victory on heavy going. The remaining pair are badly out of form.
Templier (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 4 out, weakened before 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Paddy's Poem (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Drewmain Legend 8-1 (11-12) Never better than mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 17, dist behind Goodnitesweetheart (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Babytaggle (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In touch on outside, chased leader before 5 out, ridden and lost place after next, weakened next, pulled up after 2 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Champion Chase (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Trooblue (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Minella Gathering (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Always behind, 8th of 11, 24 1/2l behind Corinto (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Micquus (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led 3rd until after 7th, chased leaders, led again before 2 out until 2 out, chased leader, 2 lengths down and ridden last, closed to lead again towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Away For Slates (11-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
