in touch, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, kept on
in touch, headway 7th, led 10th, ridden 3 out, stayed on well
in rear, weakened 5 out, tailed off
soon led, headed 7th, weakened 5 out, pulled up next
behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent to halfway, struggling 9th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 7th to 10th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out
Pateese could only finish fourth to Opening Batsman at Plumpton earlier this month but was only beaten three lengths and, like the winner, was making his debut over the larger obstacles. He is 7lb better off now and should take his revenge but ROLLING ACES' defeat of Saturday's unlucky Haydock second Merry King and subsequent Newbury scorer Handy Andy is difficult to knock and he may well be good enough to follow up. It will be a surprise if any of the remaining quartet prove good enough to take a hand in the finish.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went right 7th, 3rd and not fluent 3 out, chased leader and went right 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft beating Hawkes Point (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, led narrowly between last 2, held on under pressure flat, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Merry King (11-10) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Avec Moi Ce Soir (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Close up, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Oscar Hill (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Ellviss (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Led until ridden and headed bypassing omitted 8th (5 out), weakened rapidly, tailed off when went badly right 3 out, last of 7, well behind Milarrow (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Fairwood Dante (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Steadied start and slowly away, took keen hold in rear, hampered 2nd, lost touch 10th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Houblon Des Obeaux (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Forgive Intrusion (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Went prom 10; rdn app 2 out; no ex, 4th of 15, 13l behind Spot The Grey (12-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Pateese (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, rallying to 3rd when mistake last, one pace flat, lost 3rd final stride, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Opening Batsman (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft.