made all, clear 3 out, ridden after last, ran on
tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd, jumped right 3rd, behind when mistake 4th, slow jump next and soon pulled up
tracked winner throughout, ridden 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon held
Chamoss Royale gets the nod over Fair Question in what looks a straight match between the two; Criston Cane needs luck on his side to cause an upset. Fair Question handles cut in the ground and, as a proven stayer, he should be capable of making a good fist of things. However, he took a horrible fall at Wetherby on his chasing debut and it is hard to gauge whether that will have left any mental scars. Therefore, it may be more profitable to side with Chamoss Royale - even though her stamina is unproven over a trip this far. Paul Nicholls' assumption that the trip is not going to be an issue with her is enough of a recommendation and, as she has already tasted success over fences, the seven-year-old is fancied to build on her profile today.
Fair Question (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Led until fell 4 out in race won by Pay Attention (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Christon Cane 66-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, pulled hard, always behind, tailed off from 7th, 10th of 13, well behind Joaaci (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Chamoss Royale (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden and headway to chase winner 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind United (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
