took keen hold early, prominent, lost place 5th, jumped slowly next, not going well, behind 9th, pulled up before 12th
prominent, ridden after 11th, struggling 3 out, well behind 2 out, stayed on last, soon went 3rd, no chance
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led 10th until next, led approaching 12th where slightly pestered by loose horse, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up, hampered by loose horse 3rd, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, 3rd and weakening when blundered last
tracked leaders, ridden after 12th, went 2nd after 2 out, every chance brielfy approaching last, soon brushed aside by winner
led until 10th, led next until before 12th, every chance before making mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, pushed along 9th, ridden and struglling after hitting 11th, behind 4 out, went 5th after 3 out, rapid move after 2 out to lead approaching last, soon clear
blundered and unseated rider 1st
The Hollinwell has always had talent and could certainly win this on a going day but they are few and far between over jumps nowadays. Prince Des Marais loves fast ground and gained an easy success at Fakenham last time but he's now on his highest-ever mark and won't find this as simple. COMMEMORATION DAY had slipped to a very feasible mark when gaining a third course victory last month and a 4lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent a follow-up at his favourite track. Job One looked a promising chaser when scoring over the C&D last summer but things haven't gone right for him on his two most recent starts and stablemate Minella Theatre may come out best of the pair this time. Rustarix stays better than some of these and is only 1lb higher than when scoring at Cheltenham in November.
The Hollinwell 5-1 (11-9) Led and keen, jumped left 1st, jumped slow 3rd, headed 5th, jumped left 7th, soon pushed along and lost place, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Lackamon (10-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear on outside, behind 15th, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Junior (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led 9th, jumped well throughout, 15 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Knight Legend (11-5) by 16l, 6 ran.
Peter Pole (FR) 5-1fav (10-0) Chased leaders, upsides when 2nd approaching 12th, blundered 15th, blundered 4 out soon pulled up, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr '09, 15 ran.
Rustarix (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Held up in rear but in touch, slow 3rd, ridden 10th, chased leaders 12th, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 45l behind Three Chords (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Royal Wedding 8-1 (11-12) Led until 5th, remained prominent, lost place 11th, soon weakened, moderate 4th, 4th of 6, 40l behind Prince Des Marais (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up behind, in touch, pushed along from 2 out, went 2nd before last, led soon after, ran on strongly, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Royal Kicks (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Job One (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, not fluent 7th and soon lost place, blundered 8th when weakening, jumped right 11th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Regal Approach (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (4) gs in Nov.
