held up in touch, headway to chase leader 8th, hit 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear
raced in rear, but in touch, pushed along from halfway, headway after 3 out, never on terms
soon led, headed after 2nd, remained prominent, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd close home
held up in rear, but in touch, slow 8th, chased leaders after 4 out, weakening when fell last
with leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, jumped right throughout, weakened after 8th, behind when mistake last
tracked leaders, led after 2nd, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakening when lost 2nd closing stages
held up in touch, lost place 5th, soon in rear, never dangerous
Questions have to be asked about the classy MEDERMIT after he refused at Huntingdon but, as long the episode hasn't affected his confidence, the six-year-old should make amends here. Rackham Lerouge, a half-brother to smart stayer Punchestowns and three times a winner in bumpers, was successful over hurdles at Bangor last season and is an interesting newcomer to fences while there is probably more to come from Fontwell winner Tullamore Dew. American Trilogy fell over hurdles on his comeback from injury but was a smart performer a couple of years ago and is sure to have been well schooled. He makes more appeal than Ffos Las winner Potemkin and the versatile Sarando.
Medermit (FR) 1-5fav (11-7) Led until refused 6th, in a race won by Harry Tricker (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Potemkin (USA) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, chased leader after 9th, mistake 4 out, led next, soon driven, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Chain Of Command (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 1-5fav (11-1) Made all, took keen hold early, clear approaching 3 out, eased after last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Zhukov (10-10) by 23l, 4 ran.
American Trilogy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear and off the pace, headway after 3 out, weakened to 8th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Outside The Box 20-1 (10-7) Led 1st, clear until mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Via Galilei (10-1) at Newbury 2m con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Rackham Lerouge (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Always prominent, went 2nd approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led and edged left before last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb beating My Shamwari (11-8) by 3l, 13 ran.
Sarando 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind 6th, never in contention, 7th of 13, 17l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
