tracked winner until ridden 4 out, left remote 2nd 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, in 3rd when slipped up on bend approaching 8th
in rear in 4th, left 3rd before 8th, chased winner from 4 out, 15 lengths down in 2nd when fell 3 out
made all, hit 5th, clear before 9th, eased after last, easily
Across The Straits is making his debut over fences and has shown very little over timber. Quetzal started favourite on his chasing bow at Plumpton a couple of weeks ago but jumped moderately and will need to do better here. Ours is in cracking form having beaten the in-form Rileyev at Hereford before completing a double in comfortable style at Leicester. He's still on a fair mark but those victories were gained on testing ground and THUNDER CHILD, who prefers faster going, may have his measure at these weights. Simon Burrough's grey was undoubtedly fortunate to score over the C&D a fortnight ago but the faster the ground the better for him and he can defy a 5lb rise and follow up.
Ours (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Pressed leader, not fluent 9th or 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, 2 lengths down 3 out, rallied to lead last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy beating Persian Gates (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 2 ran.
Quetzal (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 20l behind Horseshoe Reef (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Across The Straits (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden in modest 9th under pressure after 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Thunder Child 11-4fav (10-0) Led, narrowly headed 8th, disputing lead and every chance, coming under pressure when left well clear 4 out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Normandy Landings (11-1) by 28l, 5 ran.
