tracked leading trio, left 3rd at 10th, chased winner after 4 out, challenged and every chance when hit 3 out, soon ridden, no extra before last
led and disputed, led after 3rd until next, led 6th until 11th, chase winner until after 4 out, well held 3rd and driven when hit 3 out
led and disputed, led until after 3rd, led 4th until 6th, led 11th, made rest, over 2 lengths clear last, kept on well
chased leading quartett, left 4th at 10th, outpaced 13th, no chance after, tailed off
in rear, mistake 8th, left 5th at 10th, under pressure before 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leading pair, hit 9th, fell next
EMPEROR CONCERTO likes a good test of stamina and is fancied to take the beating in the company; Junior also stays well and has to be a threat, while Recif De Thaix is respected in a small field like this. The last named races from the same mark as when he won a two-horse race at Fontwell last month, so has obvious claims again today; especially with a 5lb conditional helping to negate the penalty. Junior has held his form well this year and, although this former Grade 2 winner over hurdles is unlikely to be a superstar over fences; he has taken well to the new challenge and merits a second look in the betting. However, Emperor Concerto always looked a chaser in the making and, as he proved at Doncaster in February, the Lucy Wadham-trained gelding can be a real force to be reckoned with at this level.
Recif De Thaix (FR) Evens (11-4) Tracked leader, led as leader slithered on landing 3 out, soon clear, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) hvy in Mar beating Superior Wisdom (11-4) by 15l, 2 ran.
Emperor Concerto 25-1 (11-0) With leader, lost place 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 21l behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Junior 14-1 (11-12) Mostly chased leader until 12th, ridden before 14th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 11, 29l behind Carrickmines (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Mar.
Beware Chalk Pit (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up 3rd and last, headway and effort on outside approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, last of 3, 6l behind I Have Dreamed (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (4) sft.
Owlsley 22-1 (11-3) In rear, blundered 2nd, well behind 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Wherrimon (11-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Willowpattern 2-1 (11-7) Made all; v easy, won at Larkhill 3m ptp fm in May beating Namur (12-0) by 15l, 6 ran.
