raced wide, hld up, hdw 10th, rdn to ld appr last, r.o
dspd ld unt hit 3 out, sn hdd, rdn and sn one pace
dspd ld, msk 7th, rdn and hdd appr last, k on flat
trkd ldrs, msks 7th and 9th, o.p appr next, styd on again fr 2 out
chsd ldrs, rdn 10th, wknd fr 12th, bh wh p.u bf 2 out
There is at least one horse every season that is hyped to the hilt and then fails to deliver on one of the bigger stages. And Chicuelo fitted the bill perfectly on his reappearance at Cheltenham last month. His jumping was a shallow imitation of the horse that cruised to victory at Market Rasen in the summer and his effort was too bad to be taken as a true estimation of his ability. It is worth bearing in mind that he was 16lb lower in the handicap when he won at Market Rasen before thinking that this flatter right-handed course will suit him better. His jumping is the big question and he is saver material only as he tackles these stiff fences. Wain Mountain on the other hand should revel in the conditions and will be a lot sharper after his good effort in conceding 5lb to Asador at Chepstow on his reappearance. He is a consistent sort and is taken as the value selection and can play a leading role if this turns into a test of stamina on the ground. Galant Moss, who has enjoyed mixed success in France of late, has good course form to his name and is not out of this if he puts in something like his best. However, he is prone to the odd bad-one and he may find that the tactics conspire against him if this turns into a game of cat and mouse. Mr Baxter Basics is another who will be a live danger if he can brush up on his jumping and force a decent pace. But the fact that he is winless for two years is too off-putting for him to be confidently supported today. Stormhill Stag would appear to have too much to do in this company.
