not fluent in rear, reminder after 7th, went left next, headway 12th, kept on to modest 3rd 2 out, went left last, no chance with leading duo
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace and no impression from next, weakened before last
held up in last trio, good headway to track leaded after 7th, led before next, headed 13th, chased winner until not fluent 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
led, headed approaching 8th, outpaced next, soon lost place, behind when blundered 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, making good headway and tracking leaders when mistake and nearly unseated rider 10th, went 3rd next, chased winner 4 out, driven and 2 lengths to find last, kept on but no real impression flat
in touch, headway to 3rd at 7th, went 2nd before next, led 13th, travelling strongly before 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden out from last, eased close home, comfortably
raced wide, chased leaders, blunderd 9th, lost place next and never on terms after
chased leader until after 7th, outpaced next, behind and struggling before 10th, tailed off
RIVERSIDE THEATRE easily beat Gauvain in this 12 months ago. He hasn't raced since but generally goes well fresh and it will take an improved effort from one of his rivals to deny him as long as the ground doesn't get any softer. Medermit is tough and has run well in all three starts this season, just failing to give 12lb to Quantitiveeasing in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in December when I'msingingtheblues was back in fifth. Alan King's grey may be the one to cash in should the selection not fire, though Tingle Creek runner-up Kauto Stone is still relatively unexposed and will appreciate the step back up in distance. Tatenen looks the pick of the remainder but has a mountain to climb at the weights.
Gauvain (GER) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leader, led after 6th, headed 8th, 5th and weakening when fell 3 out, in a race won by Somersby (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 10th, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on flat, caught last stride, 2nd of 14, hd behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Kauto Stone (FR) 7-2 (11-7) In touch main group, close up 7th, switched left to challenge next, upsides when blundered 10th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Little Josh (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 10th, went 2nd 12th, driven and lost place before 2 out, weakened last, tailed off, 6th of 9, 44l behind Midnight Chase (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Medermit (FR) 11-1 (11-5) In touch on inside, blundered 8th, outpaced 4 out, headway to chase leaders before next, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on to challenge and every chance towards finish, just held, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Quantitativeeasing (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Riverside Theatre 11-10fav (11-7) Held up in touch in 5th, left 4th at 8th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, came readily clear between last 2, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f chs G1 (1) sft in Feb '11 beating Gauvain (11-7) by 10l, 7 ran.
Tatenen (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led after 10th, headed 11th, chased leader, stayed on gamely from last, led again last stride, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating I'msingingtheblues (11-9) by hd, 14 ran.
The Sawyer (BEL) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Midnight Chase (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
