in touch in 4th, headway 10th, chased clear leader from 3 out, about 12 lengths down when left in lead last, kept on
always towards rear
led and set fast pace, soon clear, 12 lengths up when fell last
mid-division in 5th when jumped awkward and unseated rider 3rd
always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, well held when left 2nd at last, kept on
always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd until before 3 out, weakened before last
mid-division, one pace and no impression from 5 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
It's impossible to see past BRAVE SPARTACUS after last week's romp when well supported at Catterick, for which the assessor will penalise him by much more than the 7lb extra he has here. Connections reported that front-running tactics were the reason for the massive improvement from previous runnings so he should have few problems making all here. Ouest Eclair has always looked as though he needed further and was staying over 2m5f at Leicester last time while Whiskey Ridge is another who would appear to be better suited by a longer trip as he's been plodding round at his own pace. It's a long time since Dukeofchesterwood showed any real form so Tutchec looks the main threat despite his big weight though he will need to jump better than when beaten narrowly by Secret Desert at Ayr last time.
Tutchec (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 3rd until next, pressed leader, not fluent 12th, mistake 13th and 4 out, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Secret Desert (9-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Soon detached in rear, not fluent 7th, lost touch 9th, mistake and nearly unseated rider 11th, mistake next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Red Tanber (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Made all, set strong pace, not fluent 9th, clear 4 out, very easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs beating Pen Gwen (9-7) by 12l, 12 ran.
Whiskey Ridge (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 22l behind Peedeeque (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Held up in last off the pace, not fluent 5th, ridden after 11th, headway when hit 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Peak Seasons (9-7) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Nov.
Dukeofchesterwood 13-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 13th until before 4 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 10, 27l behind Or de Grugy (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Arc Warrior (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Led and keen, headed 2nd, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Phoenix Lady (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Turf Trivia 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Brave Spartacus (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
No Way Hozay 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced before 3 out, kept on from last, no impression, 5th of 7, 18l behind Highrate (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Claresburn 100-1 (10-0) Close up, led briefly 2nd, soon dropped into mid-division, behind from 10th, pulled up before 12th, tailed off, in a race won by Riskier (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May, 11 ran.
