tracked leaders, lost place 13th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace
keen, in touch, went 2nd 9th, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, pushed out
prominent, ridden when not fluent 3 out and 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, effort after 4 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
This looks to lie between Jongleur Collonges and Light des Mulottes, although Royal China and Tee-Jay's chances cannot be dismissed, with the vote going to Jongleur Collonges. The Robert Alner-trained seven-year-old is only lightly raced and proved the positive effect of a breathing operation when scoring at Towcester last time. He jumped particularly well on that occasion and connections could well have found another good opportunity for him. Light des Mulottes won in handicap company last time so comes here with his confidence high and, overall, the literal value of that Uttoxeter success is around five pounds inferior to the selection, so grant him plenty of respect. Of the others, Henrietta Knight's Royal China, who has shown enough to suggest he is up to winning a race of this nature, and Micky Hammond's Tee-Jay, who makes his chasing debut here but won from a mark of 111 over hurdles, look the best. Overall, though, the vote goes to Jongleur Collonges.
