led until 8th, with leader, pushed along when left in lead 3 out, unchallenged after
prominent, led 8th, travelling well and narrow advantage when fell 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 11th, lost touch from next, left moderate 3rd 3 out
stumbled badly 1st and immediately pulled up
tracked leaders, mistake 13th, effort after 4 out, held when left 2nd 3 out
Raffaello can put his recent lapse behind him to come out on top over Opera de Coeur Aztec Warrior and Mister Quasimodo. The money was well and truly left in the bookies' satchels when Raffaello came down three out on his chase debut at Chepstow a fortnight ago, as he would in all probability justified favouritism. Up until his departure, the Paul Nicholls inmate had jumped well and with plenty of enthusiasm, and a similar round today should safely see him make amends before going on to better things. Opera de Coeur has the proven hurdles experience of the pair, gets the age allowance and will appreciate the step up in trip, so is the main danger. Aztec Warrior has been taking on good company over fences, including at Cheltenham last time when he made a couple of mistakes on the way round. If Henrietta Knight can iron out his kinks, he should make up into a nice chaser, while Mister Quasimodo is consistent and will pick up his fair share at a slightly lower level. Raffaello is one to follow though, and a clear round should make him hard to beat.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led, went right and hit 11th, soon headed, prominent, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 11l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Mister Quasimodo 3-10fav (11-3) Made all, quicken clear on bit approaching 4 out, soon in command, eased from last, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy beating Ackhurst (11-1) by 15l, 8 ran.
Royal Katidoki (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Chased winner until after 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 9l behind Mikado (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Dare Too Dream 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 13-8fav (10-7) Chased leader to 2nd, held up, headway approaching 9th, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Trouble At Bay (11-3) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Back For The Craic (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, joined winner 13th, led 4 out until next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Il Duce (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Raffaello (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) In touch, mistake and rider lost irons 2nd, steady headway from 11th, ridden and narrow leader when fell 3 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
