held up in touch, went 3rd from 9th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, kept on well
towards rear, weakened before 5 out, pulled up
tracked leaders, left 2nd 9th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
in rear and in touch, headway before 4 out, led before 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace
led, pushed along before 4 out, headed before 3 out, led after 2 out, headed run-in, kept on and held towards finish
with leader, blundered and pecked badly 8th, soon lost place, fell next
Ami Desbois is three from three here and won on this card 12 months ago, though was let down by his jumping last time at Cheltenham. Ballyoptic made a winning start over fences but he’s disappointed a little since. Captain Chaos has won his last two, including one over course and distance, but fell in this last year. VINTAGE CLOUDS is another second-season chaser and he’s the most exposed of these. He’s only won once over the larger obstacles but ran well for fourth when favourite for the Welsh National in December and could gain compensation in this. Shades Of Midnight remains out of sorts but Pearl Royale beat some decent rivals on her chasing bow at Wincanton, though is trying a new trip.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) In touch mistake 3rd, pushed along and lost place 12th, hit next, soon tailed off, 4th of 7, 27l behind Black Corton (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Ami Desbois (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Led, jumped right and not fluent 1st, soon headed, led 8th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Captain Chaos (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Mostly jumped well, led and soon clear, not fluent 3 out, driven before last, almost joined last, in command run-in, won at Wetherby 3m (4) sft in Nov beating Three Ways (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Shades Of Midnight 7-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed along 4th, ridden and lost touch after 6th, mistake 7th, tailed off when jumped left and mistake 9th, refused last, at Haydock 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 7-1fav (11-1) Soon led, headed 1st, prominent, hampered 12th, mistake and lost place next, bumped 2 out, kept on flat, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 20, 16 1/2l behind Raz De Maree (11-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Pearl Royale (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Made all, hard driven 2 out, stayed on well (2 fences omitted), won at Wincanton 2m 4f (3) hvy in Dec beating Jessber's Dream (11-0) by 11l, 5 ran.
