made all, left well clear at 3rd last, finished alone
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, fell next
chased leaders 6 lengths off the pace in 3rd, detatched after 7th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
Nonrunner
AS DE MEE was entered in yesterday's Pendil Chase at Kempton but comes here for this much easier task. Ahead of Tea For Two when second to Bristol De Mai in a Grade 1 at Sandown earlier this month, he should be much too good for these. Paul Nicholls could have a 1-2 as Orbasa had some decent form in France and is rated a stone superior to Blue Bear. Ma'ire Rua looks to be facing an impossible task at the weights.
Orbasa (FR) (11-9) 3rd of 13, 12l behind Rezorbi (11-4) at Enghien 2m 1f gs in Nov.
Blue Bear (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and lost place 6th, not fluent next, soon behind, 8th of 13, dist behind Baoulet Delaroque (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Ma'ire Rua (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Made most until headed before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 31 3/4l behind Hope's Wishes (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
As De Mee (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked winner until 5th and from 6th until before 7th, not fluent 12th, ridden to take 2nd again before 2 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Bristol De Mai (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Feb.
