jumped well, made all, ridden 4 out, stayed on strongly from next
held up and raced keen, headway to track leaders 6th, tracked leading pair 5 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 4th, ridden 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression on winner
tracked winner until approaching 4th, lost place 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, lost place next, ridden 4 out, took remote 3rd near finish
Lorient Express gets the confident vote in this handicap chase with Show Me The River and Calatagan rating the main dangers. The selection mixed hurdling and chasing with good effect last season and although rising in the weights he looks to have conditions to suit and he is taken to defy the handicaper again. Show Me The River rates the main danger on his latest third behind Crossbow Creek. He should have come on for the run and should be closely watched in the market. Calatagan will make a bold bid to make all but all his best form is on a faster surafce and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Vigoureux has conditions to suit and could go well at a price but consistency is not his strong point and with this in mind for the winner we return to Lorient Express.
Calatagan (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In touch, chased winner when hit 9th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Yes Sir (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Jul.
Lorient Express (FR) 10-11fav (10-4) Held up in touch, headway to lead 2 out, ridden clear last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Royal Stardust (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Show Me The River 10-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 9th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Crossbow Creek (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed after 6th, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 32l behind Theflyingscottie (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Vigoureux (FR) 8-1 (9-11) Held up, chased winner 6th, stumbled and lost place after 4 out, one pace from next, last of 3, 18l behind Rookery Lad (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in May.
