soon held up in last trio, not fluent 12th, headway to 3rd at 14th, went 2nd before 3 out until soon after 3 out, weakened after next
took keen hold, raced wide, headway to chase leaders 4th, went 2nd 6th until before 3 out, weakened quickly and hit 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
took keen hold, chased leader until 6th, stayed 3rd until lost place after 11th, hit next, weakened 15th, tailed off
ran in snatches, chased leaders until lost place before 12th, close up again when slow 14th, mistake 15th, lost place again 17th, rallied under pressure from 2 out, stayed on to 4th flat, no chance with leading trio
held up in last pair, hit 16th, good headway on inside after 4 out, went 2nd soon after next, lost 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace before next
held up in rear, headway before 3out, chased leader 2 out, led last, stayed on well and came clear flat
led, hit 8th, pressed from 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, no extra flat
Scots Dragoon won this last year but was a long way behind Surenaga when they met in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup here last month and the latter can give Sally Randell, who was successful in this in 2009, another good ride. Runner-up Blu Teen easily won a hunter chase here a year ago and looks sure to get involved as does Knighton Combe, representing Jamie Snowden, who wasn't far behind in third but Mr Big was beaten a long way and looks out of it. It's difficult to know what COIS FARRAIG is doing in a race like this as he landed a Grade 2 at Newbury in November before finishing a long way behind the high-class pair Hell's Bay and Medermit in his next two starts. He has a penalty to carry but could well prove different class. Ice Tea is a useful hunter who battled all the way to the line to see off Mister Apple's at Doncaster and is the pick of the weights on official ratings.
Cois Farraig 28-1 (11-4) Led 2nd until after next, lost place 6th, soon last, behind from next, 8th of 9, well behind Medermit (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Feb.
Flying Squad (UAE) 11-1 (11-7) Always in rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wistow (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Knighton Combe 15-8fav (12-5) Pecked 1st, chased leaders, mistake 12th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Surenaga (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Mr Big (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Led, headed 4 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 29l behind Surenaga (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Scots Dragoon 7-1 (12-0) Raced wide, held up well in rear, headway before 3 out, went 4th 2 out, staying on same pace when hit last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Surenaga (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Surenaga (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, mistake 8th, blunderd 15th, headway after 4 out, went 3rd before next, challenged last, stayed on to lead final 120 yards, won at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb beating Blu Teen (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Blu Teen (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and joined 3 out, stayed on until headed final 120 yards, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Surenaga (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Ice Tea (IRE) 15-8fav (11-13) With leader and keen, not fluent 2nd, led 12th, headed 6 out, led again and ridden before 4 out, soon hard pressed, joined last, kept on run-in, held on gamely towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Feb beating Mister Apple's (11-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
