led to 3rd, remained in touch, outpaced when briefly short of room before 3 out, switched outside and ridden after next, went 2nd and ran closing stages, not reach winner
tracked leaders, effort on outside after 4 out, soon hung left, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, well held when lost 2nd flat
raced keenly, close up, led 3rd, joined 6th, headed narrowly 5 out, led again next, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 4 out, led 2 out, driven clear after last, kept on
held up in rear, pushed along after 5 out, never able to get on terms, weakened 3 out
prominent, joined leader 6th, led narrowly 5 out to next, regained lead 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, one pace and no impression flat
There is strength-in-depth in this novice chase with One For Billy having taken well to fences and not ignored, despite a double penalty. Dear Sire won at Cartmel in July and was still going well when attempting a follow-up at that track but Royal Plaza was last of four at Newton Abbot on his first run for new connections. Gustave Mahler has been knocking on the door at Worcester and Southwell but faces stronger opposition today. Caid Du Lin is a useful hurdler but hasn’t won as often as he should so we’ll take a chance on EQUUS AMADEUS. Only five, Tom Lacey’s charge was a little keen on his reappearance at Newton Abbot 10 days ago but still caught the eye and he could be one to follow in chases.
One For Billy 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4th, effort after 4 out, led narrowly next, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Theo (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Dear Sire (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, close up and every chance when fell 2 out, at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Aug.
Royal Plaza 7-1 (11-8) Led, clear to 7th, headed 4 out, disputing 3rd and weakening when mistake last, last of 4, 12 1/4l behind I'dliketheoption (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, raced on outside until before 3rd, not clear run and bumped before 2 out, soon went 2nd, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Unison (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Took keen hold towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Litterale Ci (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Gustave Mahler (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Led to 4 out, regained lead before 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind All Set To Go (11-0) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Aug.
