chased winner, not fluent, mistake 12th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out
held up, mistake 7th, took closer order next, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
held up rear, lost touch from 11th
in touch, outpaced approaching 12th, stayed on from 3 out
made all, drew clear from 4 out, easily
Fluff 'N' Puff secures the verdict ahead of Tom Sayers in the Classified Chase. Paul Keane's eleven-year-old is returning from an absence but his trainer can get them fit first time up and with few problems with this afternoon's going - there is an obvious opportunity to score here today. Tom Sayers has ability but is prone to making serious jumping errors. If Phillip Hobbs has ironed out these flaws, he should take this race convincingly but his errors have cost him races on more than just the odd occasion. Bacardi Boy is an out and out stayer who was a beaten favourite on his last start. It is imagined that his connections and indeed, those of Paddy The Optimist will be raindancing overnight. Adalie was capable of popping up occasionally in her days with Phillip Hobbs but she has shown little thus far for Jimmy Frost. A tough race to call with many doubts surrounding the principals but Fluff 'N' Puff is proven on the surface and secures our vote of confidence as a consequence.
Bacardi Boy (IRE) 15-8fav Held up in touch, headway 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Barcham Again at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in May.
Fluff 'n' Puff 7-1 Led to 11th, led 12th, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Pure Platinum at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft in Oct.
Just Muckin Around (IRE) 4-1 Tracked leaders, led 10th to 11th, weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jordans Lad at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Mr Jake 33-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Saucy Night at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Paddy The Optimist (IRE) 7-1 Raced keenly in touch, headway after 2nd, led after 4th to 7th, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Ibal at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft.
Tom Sayers (IRE) 16-1 Jumped left, led, blundered badly and headed 13th, not recover, 6th of 10, 32l behind Kenzo Iii at Ludlow 3m beg chs (E) gs in Feb.
Adalie 40-1 Prominent, pushed along when pecked 8th, weakening when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Ibal at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft, 9 ran.
Montu 33-1 Mid-division, ridden 11th, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 47l behind Fearless Mel at Taunton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
