held up, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, remote 4th when blundered last
in touch chasing group, lost place 6th, soon struggling, no danger after
in touch, chasing group, reminders 7th, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure next, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mistakes, always behind
tracked clear leader, headway 4 out, led after next, clear last, driven out
blundered 1st, soon in touch chasing group, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
jumped right, raced keenly, led and clear to 4 out, ridden and headed after next, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd flat
Another very moderate affair where if you must part with the hard-earned then try CAPTAIN MARLON, while Intense Suspense may give him most to do. The latter runner sports first-time headgear today after a couple of ordinary efforts, the most recent being on his chase debut at Towcester. Decent ground suits and he may be capable of showing better form again, although the trip may be a bit sharp for him. More Like It looks back on a decent mark but he must have soft ground and unless there is a deluge his chances are significantly reduced. Red Jester has trip and ground to suit and should go well, but he has already twice been beaten from today's mark and there is no obvious reason why he will do better this time. Ursumman represents high profile connections and goes on good ground. He has plummeted 34lbs in the weights since winning a Down Royal chase three years ago, and while his mark is very attractive judged on that old form, his recent efforts mean he is hard to fancy. Therefore, we will side with Captain Marlon. Colin Tizzard's gelding enjoyed his only win at Chepstow when the ground was officially the same as today's and the trip was similar. He is now 5lbs below that mark and went well enough at Wincanton last time he was seen in the spring. That sole success came when he was fresh, just like today, so we will chance him.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace to go 2nd from last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Sir Harry Cool (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Ursumman (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, reminders after 7th, driven 5 out, never dangerous, last of 8, well behind Zorro De La Vega (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden in close 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Huguenot (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
More Like It (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Perpetuum (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Red Jester 6-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 7th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Silver Steel (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led until after 3 out, fourth and weakening when jumped left and hit 2 out, 5th of 14, 26l behind R'Cam (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) gd.
Intense Suspense (IRE) 9-2fav (10-1) Led to 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Bennynthejets (11-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Secret Cavern (USA) 66-1 (11-2) Pulled hard, headway to lead 3rd, headed 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, last of 4, 38l behind Leamington Lad (11-2) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
