held up in touch on inside, took keen hold, chased winner before 2 out, ridden and every chance on approach when blundered last, kept on towards finish, always held
tracked leaders in 3rd, took closer order 8th, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, held on well
held up towards rear and keen, headway 7th to go in touch, ridden and weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 6th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led to 6th, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway 5 out, in 3rd and ridden approaching and hit last, kept on same pace
Kosta Brava has now got his act together over the larger obstacles and hasn't been unduly punished by the handicapper after a 7-length win at Musselburgh on his latest start. J'Adhere has proved a consistent sort over hurdles and will have had plenty of schooling ahead of his chasing bow, while Cocoa Key could thrive now his attention has been switched to fences. Cranky Corner's recent efforts don't inspire confidence, however, and I'm Your Man returns from a long break. GAVROCHE GAUGAIN has fallen in all three starts over fences but held every chance on each occasion he came to grief and certainly has ability. Graham Lee rides him for the first time in a chase today and Ferdy Murphy's seven-year-old can gain a deserved win.
Kosta Brava (FR) 2-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader until 5th where slightly hampered, pushed along after 8th, closed when not fluent 4 out, led next, clear last, stayed on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov beating Kit Carson (10-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Cranky Corner 11-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division and keen on inside, headway after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 22l behind The Magic Bishop (10-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
J'Adhere (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, closed 4th, not fluent when on outside 3 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Zelos Diktator (10-6) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Held up behind and keen, pushed along after 4 out, headway approaching next to chase leaders, no extra after last, 5th of 11, 8l behind Pyracantha (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
I'm Your Man 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, soon chased winner, blundered 2 out, in 3rd and one pace when left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 28l behind Persian Prince (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Lukie Victor (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 5 ran.
