led to 6th, pressed leader, led 8th to 10th, led again 13th, made rest, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2 out
pressed winner, led 6th to 8th, led 10th to 13th, chased winner to next, soon weakened
held up in 5th, closed from 11th, chased winner 14th to before 2 out, weakened before last, finished tired
held up off pace, closed up from 11th, tracked leaders 14th, chased winner before 2 out, no impression last
raced in 4th, slightly hampered 4th, lost touch from 16th, blundered 4 out
tracking leaders when unseated rider 4th
always in rear, losing touch when mistake 10th, pulled up after next
An interesting line-up for the Pillar Property Chase and the one that catches the eye is Therealbandit ahead of Royal Auclair, Ollie Magern and Grey Abbey. Let's start with Grey Abbey in this fascinating contest. Last year's Scottish National winner continues to progress and beat last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Rembrandt when landing the Charlie Hall Chase when last seen on the track. He is afforded a lot of respect. Cloudy Bays was 29 lengths behind Beef Or Salmon when fourth in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, while Ollie Magern's Paddy Power Gold fourth, Hennessy Gold Cup second, and battling Feltham Chase win mark him down as a hugely talented novice. Therealbandit ran respectably in the King George VI Chase but, before that had given Royal Auclair a three-length beating when in receipt of three pounds in the Mears Group Chase here over slightly further, and they race off levels today. Royal Auclair had earlier finished a length-and-a-quarter behind Ollie Magern in the Hennessy Gold Cup, and is three pounds better off at the weights today. As you can tell, there is not too much between the three horses just mentioned. Finally, much as Ballycassidy's good run at Grade 3 level here last time suggests that his chance is not a forlorn one, others hold more obvious claims. Of these, our vote goes to Therealbandit.
