chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd last
jumped well, made all, well in command 2 out, drew clear approaching last, eased run-in
held up, headway under pressure to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with easy winner
close up until steadily lost place after 3rd, last and no chance 4 out
mistake 2nd held up in rear, headway after 3rd, went 3rd before 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
close up until lost place after 8, rallied from 2 out, went 3rd last
hit 1st and 2nd and soon lost place, not jumped well and never going well in rear after
Dempsey gets the narrow vote here over Hoo La Baloo and River City. The selection has an excellent record here at Sandown and he ran a blinder when last seen out at Cheltenham in the Queen Mother Champion chase. He loves fast ground so everything appears to have dropped right for him today and he is taken to score. Hoo La Baloo is a course and distance winner and he certainly has the ability to get his head in front, but the truth is he has been a little disappointing of late and he looks worth opposing at present. River City won this race last year and he ran with great credit at Punchestown earlier in the week when finishing fourth behind Mansony. He is clearly on good terms with himself at present but this race may come a little too quickly for him and on that basis he is passed over. Yes Sir is from a yard in good form and could go well at a price but for the winner we will stick with Dempsey.
Demi Beau 11-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led after 4th, headed when weakening 9th, 9th of 15, 26l behind Bambi De L'orme (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Dempsey (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Full House (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch when fell 3 out in race won by Racing Demon (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Led until after 6th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, soon one pace, 7th of 12, 17l behind Misty Dancer (9-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Mister McGoldrick 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 6th until blundered badly 9th, gradually faded, 9th of 12, 50l behind Misty Dancer (9-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
River City (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up early, progress into 4th before halfway, 3rd after 5 out, slight mistake next, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 7, 6l behind Mansony (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd.
Tysou (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Not always fluent, held up in touch, hit 5th, tracked leaders 13th, went 2nd after 3 out until last, weakened run-in, 5th of 6, 9l behind Nycteos (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Yes Sir (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Made all, hit 11th, drew clear after 4 out, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf beating Natal (11-10) by 11l, 6 ran.
