tracked leader, mistake 3rd, lost place 5th, rallied 3 out, soon weakened
always behind
in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, mistake 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, slow 5th and 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
led until 3rd, chased leaders, effort 3 out, no extra approaching last
prominent, led 3rd, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly
in touch, mistake 8th, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Duke Of Navan was well beaten in last year’s renewal behind the runner-up Marracudja though the latter has been struggling lately and stablemate Azzuri remains 10lb higher than when last successful. Tonto's Spirit landed a couple of novice chases before beaten in a handicap at Sedgefield but both Hawk High and Charmant will be sharper for recent comeback runs with Tim Easterby’s course and distance winner preferred having finished runner-up over these fences last month. Chesterfield has placed in this grade recently and has a shout but EAMON AN CNOIC (NAP) gave notice of a big run when finding only one too good at Cheltenham earlier in the month and David Pipe’s charge looks to have leading claims on that form.
Chesterfield (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 14, 8 1/4l behind Magic Saint (11-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Azzuri 12-1 (10-13) With leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 12th of 13, dist behind Scarlet Dragon (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Charmant (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway on outside 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind The Last Day (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Jumped right at times, held up in rear, headway 9th, mistake 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Northern Beau (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Tonto's Spirit 6-1 (11-13) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Rose Sea Has (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Marracudja (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 4 out, no impression, 5th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Capeland (10-13) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Hawk High (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Raced wide, held up in 5th place, closer at 5th, went modest 3rd 3 out, plugged on into 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Ecu De La Noverie (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Bit keen, held up well in rear, closer tracking leaders 5 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Ecu De La Noverie (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
