chased leaders, effort 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before last
held up in rear, slow 6th, weakened 5 out
held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on to go 2nd after last, never reached winner
led until 7th, led agin 9th, headed 3 out, led again approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leader, led 7th, headed 9th, rallied to lead again 3 out, headed before last, soon weakened
TAYARAT carries a penalty for his recent win at Market Rasen but that was only his second start over fences. Open to further progress, Michael Chapman's charge can go in again. Mon Chevalier's latest second at Chepstow gives him every chance though it's possible he'd prefer softer ground and the same comment applies to Hopeand. The latter scored over track and trip in November and Alba King won here back in July though may be better for today's pipe-opener. Apache Dawn is another course and distance winner and a recent second at Stratford suggests he'll make a bold bid off his current mark.
Hopeand 6-1 (11-9) Led, driven and headed before 3 out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Cooldine Run (10-2) at Southwell 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway to challenge after 5 out, led 3 out, hard pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Tokyo Javilex (11-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Alba King (IRE) 11-4 (10-4) Tracked leader, reminders after 4th, lost place before 6 out, soon reminders, tailed off 5 out, pulled up, in a race won by Bennys Quest (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 5 ran.
Umustbejoking (FR) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, pushed along 9th, well held 4 out, 7th of 9, 38l behind Cap Elorn (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Jul.
Tayarat (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, one pace before 2 out (normal 3 out), rallied after last (normal 2 out), led flat, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Un Anjou (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Apache Dawn 20-1 (10-5) In touch on outside, driven 10th, led 2 out, ridden after last, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Roc De Guye (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Aug.
