led comfortably early stages, led narrowly after the 7th, joined 4 out, niggled along after 3 out, nothing between the pair 2 out, shaken up and led at the last, kept on
raced in 2nd, drew alongside momentarily 7th, then sat just behind leader, joined leader going well 4 out, nothing between the pair when pushed along 2 out, ridden and outpaced run to the last, always held closing stages
NonRunner
STRATAGEM is unlikely to have things entirely his own way but it will be a surprise if Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old, who beat a subsequent winner in a beginners’ chase at Doncaster in January, doesn’t make a winning start in hunter chases. Dundrum Wood has more experience under Rules than Royal Chant so is preferred for forecast purposes.
Dundrum Wood (IRE) 6-1 (12-1) Pressed leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed 5th, ridden and lost place before 9th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Royal Chant (IRE) 7-4 (12-3) (tt) trckd ldrs; led 3 out; comf, won at Hornby Castle 2m 6f gf in Apr beating Absainte (11-13) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Stratagem (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Led, pushed along after 5 out, still every chance 4 out, lost lead 3 out, weakened, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Duc De Beauchene (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
