with leader, led 3rd, challenged when jumped left 2 out, raced clear next
held up, chased leaders 5th, every chance when badly hampered and nearly unseated rider 2 out, not recover
led to 3rd, lost place 7th, tailed off after 3 out
chased leaders, in 2nd when blundered 4th, weakened after 3 out
Kalou has to be respected but this should prove to be little more than a match between Croix de Guerre and Space Star, with preference for the latter of the pair. The selection was nothing out of the ordinary over hurdles but already looks to be a better chaser and made a pleasing debut over the larger obstacles when running out a decent winner of a novice event at Fontwell at the end of April. Given further improvement, Paul Webber's gelding should be too good for Croix de Guerre. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding has ability but is none too consistent and looks worth taking on at the forecast odds. Kalou is generally reliable at his fences but needs to improve to trouble the selection, while Vigoureux, who is clearly the pick of the remainder, has not looked a natural in three previous starts over fences. Space Star did nothing wrong first time out over the larger obstacles though and is taken to follow up.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Prominent until 11th, blundered 3 out, jumped badly right 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Bronzesmith (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 13 ran.
Space Star 9-2 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, headway 9th, challenged after 2 out, joined leader last, led soon after, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gd in Apr beating Flying Spirit (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Triple Crown (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) 4th of 8, 27l behind Joans Choice (11-9) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gf in May.
Vigoureux (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Always behind, no chance when hampered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by In The Frame (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf, 12 ran.
Kalou (GER) 10-1 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 7th, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 12l behind In The Frame (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Ela Figura 150-1 (10-3) Blundered 2nd, soon well behind, 5th of 7, well behind Perouse (11-0) at Hereford 2m beg chs (E) gf.
