chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, remote 4th
made all, jumped well, keen until halfway, challenged 3 out, soon hard driven, stayed on gamely
tracked leader, mistakes 9th and 10th, every chance 3 out, no extra after last
settled in rear, beaten 5 out, tailed off when pulled up next
held up in touch, took closer order into 3rd at halfway, driven 4 out, soon no impression
Art Mauresque has the highest rating of these but was most disappointing when failing to land the odds in a mens’ open at Milborne St Andrew recently and probably isn’t the force of old, though is receiving weight all round. ASOCKASTAR is back with Daniel Bourne and goes well fresh. His hunter chase form is respectable so he gets the nod, though Chef D'Equipe has to be a danger running for the first time in this sphere. Swift Crusador was leading when unseating his rider at Bangor and will strip fitter here but Too Many Diamonds has a lot to prove on his reappearance.
Asockastar (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Always handy enough, not clear run before 3 out, one pace and hanging left before 2 out, went 2nd and kept on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Lovato (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) 17-2 (12-1) Stumbled badly 1st, pressed leader, lost 2nd 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Mercy Mercy Me (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Swift Crusador 2-1 (12-8) Tracked leaders, led before 4th until mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (6) sft in Feb.
Too Many Diamonds (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 10th, not fluent 12th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Royal Village (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Art Mauresque (FR) 4-11fav (12-3) Jmpd lft; led to 6; ev ch 3 out; wknd qckly nxt, 3rd of 4, 12 1/4l behind Fishy Story (11-7) at Milborne St Andrew 3m sft in Feb.
