chased rival pair, not fluent 7th, headway into close 2nd after 5 out, outpaced next, kept on but no match for easy winner before 3 out
led narrowly to before 9th, chased winner, ridden and lost place after 5 out, unable to go with rival pair before next, continued tailed off
with leader, led before 9th, blundered next, drew readily clear before 3 out, in no danger when went left next, easily
Espoir De Teillee won easily at Ludlow on his chasing bow and first start after wind surgery. There should more to come but he carries a penalty for this and SOUTHFIELD STONE edges it at the weights. The latter is the best of these over hurdles and has placed in all three outings over fences so far including a handicap at Newbury last time. Paul Nicholls has enjoyed plenty of success at this fixture in the past including this race in 2017. Mahlervous went close over these fences on his chasing debut but has plenty to find with the above pair on today’s terms.
Espoir De Teillee (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up on outside, closed 7th, led and left clear 4 out, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec beating Cotswold Way (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Mahlervous (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked winner, led 2nd, headed 5th, pressed winner, ridden and every chance from 3 out, not fluent last, ran on, 2nd of 3, 1/2l behind I'm To Blame (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 6f (4) gs in Jan.
Southfield Stone 5-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and slightly hampered 5 out where every chance, lost 2nd before next, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Fanion D'estruval (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
