close up, chased winner 4th to 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
outpaced and lost touch from 5th, jumped slow 8th, no chance after
well in rear, jumped slow in touch and 2nd, mistake 8th, steady headway to tracked leaders going approaching 3 out, upside and every chance when fell 2 out
close up, stayed on under pressure after 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, kept on well flat
lle to 2nd, tracked winner to 4th, remained prominent, mistaker and outpaced after 4 out, kept on again from 2 out
led after 2nd, mistake 4th, headed soon after 2 out, rallied under pressure flat to lead regain lead final 150 yards
On paper, this should be a walk in the park for Tiutchev, but this race looks set for an upset. The Martin Pipe-trained top-weight has an affinity with Sandown, and is a proven course-and-distance winner. He ran well fresh to win this event last year, but struggled in his subsequent races and he faces some tough competition. Bleu Superbe has been steadily climbing up the ratings since winning convincingly over fences at Aintree last May. After doubling up at Towcester later the same month he had a hiccup in his form mid-season. But he has bounced back to record two further wins in November and January, and he gets the tentative nod to continue on the upgrade at win at Sandown. Extra Jack finished fourth to Tiutchev in last year's renewal, but has failed to impress in his four starts this season. It is possible the return to Surrey will aid his cause. Devon View certainly deserves respect. Paul Nicholls' nine-year-old is yet to finish outside the places since January 2002, and has won his last two starts. He is progressing steadily through the grades and should do well. Wave Rock has yet to hit peak form this season, but showed plenty of skill when finishing third to Cyfor Malta in the Thomas Pink in November. He finished third in the Elmbridge last season and is capable of winning it. Redemption and Eskleybrook have both been out of form in the last year and are not fancied in this company.
