with leader, hard driven 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, 2nd 4 out, effort after next, weakened last
chased leaders, mistake 1st, took closer order after 5 out, driven next, weakened 3 out
made all, hard driven 2 out, stayed on well (2 fences omitted)
in touch, headway 10th, weakened 4 out, stayed on to go 3rd from 2 out, never troubled leaders
Theatre Territory’s second at Cheltenham was franked when the winner scored again at Newbury a few days later. Pearl Royale should make a chaser but may need this and On Demand will need to jump better than she did at Exeter last week. Act Now would have struggled against most of these over hurdles but Secret Door is an interesting recruit to chasing having already been placed between the flags. JESSBER’S DREAM (NAP) probably has more class then her rivals as she won a Grade 2 over hurdles and was also placed at the highest level. She ran well in a pipe-opener here last month.
Act Now 9-2 (11-0) Raced wide, made most to before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Jester Jet (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Jessber's Dream (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) In touch, headway 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace after last, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Lamanver Odyssey (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
On Demand 9-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early, held up in 5th, closer in 4th place 2nd, mistake 4th, weakened and struggling before 4 out, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind The Nipper (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Pearl Royale (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, canter, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Starlight Court (11-8) by dist, 7 ran.
Theatre Territory (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 7th, headed 10th, led 11th, not fluent 4 out, driven and headed before last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Ms Parfois (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Secret Door (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Keen, soon prominent, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Awesome Rosie (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.