led to after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
disp 3rd until weakened 4 out
not always fluent, held up, blundered 6th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, lost touch from 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
disp 3rd, mistake 5th, blubdered 12th, outpaced from 4 out
Not the most competitive of novice chases by Ascot's standards with the likes of Avalanche, Mercato and The Staggery Boy easily discounted and Placid Man looking the clear second best of the two Nicky Henderson-trained runners. His other representative, Scots Grey, made a winning debut over the larger obstacles when successful at Huntingdon last month but was readily outpointed by the useful Jair Du Cochet at Newbury subsequently. The seven-year-old lost no caste in defeat that day and should appreciate the drop in class here. Henry Daly's Palarshan gets all the allowances going but may needs to improve on recent form to trouble both Henderson's horse and the selection, Tarxien. Martin pipe's gelding, the best of these over hurdles, made a winning debut over fences when beating Iverain by 23 lengths at Cheltenham in November. Sure to have been further schooled since then, he looks the one to beat.
