held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, weakened flat
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd at 7th, ridden last, kept on
led, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, regained narrow lead last, headed final 100 yards, no extra
held up in rear, stayed on from last, soon ridden, led final 100 yards
tracked leader, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 7th
Much will depend on how Mighty Massini gets on when he races on Wednesday but with that issue unresolved we're happy to side with DE BOITRON ahead of Tramantano. Ferdy Murphy's gelding won nicely at Cheltenham under a week ago in what was arguably a stronger race. He escapes a penalty for that and should take the world of beating with conditions absolutely perfect. Mighty Massini has taken on some crack Irish chasers this season and will find this easier, but he's engaged in a similar race on Wednesday and has to rate a doubtful runner. Should he win that contest easily and turn up for this he'd be interesting without a penalty of course, but on balance the percentage call is to oppose especially as he's unlikely to even run in our mind. As such, Tramantano is our speculative forecast suggestion. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in rude health at present and this gelding likes small fields, two miles and quick ground, all of which he'll get. His recent form figures don't inspire but he takes a drop in grade here and it should help him to show his true ability. Go Silver Bullet is a course and distance winner but might struggle off this mark having not looked much of a threat lately, whilst Nelson Du Ronceray will do well to give his trainer back-to-back successes in this race and Polar Gunner is at his best when the mud is flying. The Bill And Bunny Cadogan Trophy can go to Ferdy Murphy and De Boitron.
Tramantano 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, jumped slowly 10th, soon lost place, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 3-1fav (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leader 9th, led when pecked 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gd beating Calusa Crystal (11-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Led to before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 16, 24l behind Cool Mission (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Jumped big early, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, disputed 3rd when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair flat, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Well Disguised (9-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Polar Gunner 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased winner 5th until 4 out, not fluent and weakened next, remote 4th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Pret A Thou (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Raced in 3rd until fell 5 out, in a race won by Golden Silver (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs hvy, 10 ran.
