held up in rear, lost touch 9th, struggling next, staying on when left modest 3rd 2 out
close up, every chance from 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, soon clear, eased from last, readily
chased clear leader, led 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon outpaced by winner
jumped right throughout, led and soon well clear, blundered 4th, mistake next, hit 10th, ridden and headed 12th, weakened next
mid-division, lost place 6th, weakened 9th, behind and pulled up 12th
held up in last place, headway 10th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
in touch, went 3rd 3 out, 3 lengths down when fell 2 out
TEMPSFORD is given the vote to win this handicap chase with Inmate and Pharanto put up as the main dangers. A winner on his penultimate start having returned from a near twelve month absence previously, Tempsford was strongly fancied to follow up last time where a mistake three out looked to knock the stuffing out of him. It might be that his breeding is an issue as he seems to do everything on the bridle but with question marks over the majority of his rivals, he is the obvious choice. Pharanto failed to show much last season after being acquired from the Chris Bealby yard having won a Towcester bumper. He has headgear applied for his final start last season and that is now removed but it is worth noting that he contested some decent novice hurdles and appeared the stable first string on jockey bookings during those runs. Inmate caused something of a surprise when scoring on his penultimate start. Things looked to be happening too quick for him at Southwell last time and the step up to 2m 4f will suit. She's Humble was still in contention when unseating her rider last time. Tempsford is given the nomination to win this.
Lady Roania (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Always behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off when fell 2 out in race won by Tempting Paradise (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Tempsford (USA) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, going well 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, held when hit last, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Neutrino (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
She's Humble (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Close up, headway when hampered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Tempting Paradise (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Inmate (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, led, headed approaching 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Kirby's Vic (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Brahms And Mist (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd qckly 3 out, 7th of 17, 22l behind Land Rover Lad (12-0) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp frm in May.
Gemini Storm 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place and hampered 6th, weakened 10th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Arceye (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr, 14 ran.
Happily Ever After 25-1 (10-13) With leader, led 3rd until 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Dansimar (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Pharanto (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 7th, virtually pulled up flat, 14th of 17, well behind That Look (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
