held up and always going well, smooth headway on inside to challenge approaching last, shaken up and soon led comfortably
led, ridden after 13th, headed approaching 3 out, rallied and led approaching 2 out, headed flat, no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden 15th, challenged approaching 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
Disappointingly just four runners line up for this handicap chase with marginal preference for Treasulier over Matt The Thrasher and Hi Fi. The last mentioned is entitled to improve for his recent return to chasing at Taunton last month and would have claims if doing so. Royal Hilarity has only had four career starts so far but has given little sign of encouragement so looks best watched and of more interest is Matt The Thrasher. Evan Williams has not had the best of times in recent months but this gelding has been running creditably well and has to be respected but more solid claims are held by Treasulier. Paddy Rodford's gelding handles soft ground but has also shown a liking for fast ground as well, including when chasing home good winner Poppy Maroon at Kempton last month, and he is taken to go one better here.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Led until 16th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 5, 10l behind Ca Na Trona (11-12) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Treasulier (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) In touch until outpaced and ridden after 11th, rallied to go 3rd at 14th, left poor 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Poppy Maroon (10-4) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Hi Fi 12-1 (9-12) Chased leaders early, ridden in 4th 4 out, one pace after, 5th of 9, 18l behind New Perk (10-9) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Royal Hilarity (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged from 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 10, 16l behind Manners (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb '06.
