in touch, ridden and slightly outpaced soon after 3 out, headway to go 2nd last, soon no impression
mistake 1st, in touch, chased winner 8th, mistake next, joined winner 12th until approaching 2 out, mistake last, soon weakened
held up, headway after 8th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3f
led, mistake and headed 8th, lost place and dropped to rear, held up after, ridden and headway 2nd last, one pace flat
tracked leader, led 8th, clear last, stayed on
mistakes, keen in rear, behind and struggling from 16th, pulled up 2 out
OCEAN DU MOULIN won well last time and he can provide rookie trainer James Snowden with another winner; Scots Dragoon and Lyes Green look his chief rivals. The selection showed a good attitude to beat Quarry Town at Stratford last time and he has since left Paul Nicholls to join his current trainer. The change of scenery might bring about a bit more improvement and with this step-up in trip another plus he looks to have a big chance. Scots Dragoon looks the type who will make a smart chaser in time but he was a little disappointing in a beginners' chase at Southwell last month and he looks to have a bit to prove at present. Lyes Green has got some useful form over hurdles but he has been off the track since March and he may need this pipe opener today. Commemoration Day should be suited by this step-up in trip and he is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with the progressive Ocean du Moulin.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) In touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway next, stayed on to lead after last, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Held up, challenged 4 out, led and hung left approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jul beating Quarry Town (11-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Ladino (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, blundered 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Quattrocento (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Lyes Green 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, ridden 8th, soon weakened, mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ballyfitz (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Scots Dragoon 7-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 10th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, beaten when hung left approaching last, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Quattrocento (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Snitton Salvo 200-1 (11-6) Mid-division on wide outside, mistake 3rd, mistake 6th, struggling 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Quattrocento (10-7) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
