in touch in 4th, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place when no extra towards finish
in rear and keen, ridden and in 4th before last, no impression
Sureness was in decent form on the Flat over the summer but has a lot to prove back jumping. Vocaliser, on the other hand, has shown noting on the level lately. Moonday Sun never looked like completing his hat-trick at Perth last time and has gone up in the weights again since. Venue makes more appeal as he ran as well as expected behind the well-treated Kapstadt at Sedgefield after winning earlier at the Durham track. CHIC THEATRE was second here in February and then won at Doncaster. He found Grade 3 company too hot subsequently at Sandown but there should be more come and he starts the new campaign on a decent mark.
Venue 5-1 (11-0) Soon tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Kapstadt (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Moonday Sun (USA) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, steady headway after 3 out, chased leader and evey chance 2 out, chance when mistake last, ridden run-in, outpaced into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Jet Master (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Chic Theatre (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, chased leaders, riddden and weakened between last two, 9th of 18, 24 1/2l behind Barney Dwan (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Sureness (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Tapis Libre (10-9) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Vocaliser (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up, in rear, ridden 4f out, well beaten final 3f, 9th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Niceonecenturion (8-10) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
