chased leading pair, went 2nd 6th, hit next, dropped to 3rd 3 out, went 2nd again next, driven and stayed on same pace flat
chased leader, led 4th, clear approaching 6th until 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, chased winner until next, stayed on same pace in 3rd after
soon well off the pace in 5th, mistake and reminder 5th, never on terms, well behind when pulled up before 8th
led until 4th, chased leader until 6th, soon ridden along in 3rd until 9th, one pace and struggling in 4th after 4 out
raced in 4th and off the pace, hit 2nd, not fluent and reminders after 4th, headway 8th, went 3rd next, challenged 3 out, led soon after, clear before last, driven out
soon well off the pace in rear, never on terms, struggling fom 8th, tailed off
Gavroche Gaugain picks up a 7lb penalty for beating Lerida and Authentic Act over the C&D nine days ago and though likely to confirm the placings it didn't look much of a race and the trio may be found wanting this time. Emirate Isle makes his chasing debut and is one to keep on the right side as his only success over timber came on this track in November. Braddock Island scored here from 4lb lower last year and is not out of this but FLIGHTY MIST looks the one to be on. Sandy Forster's mare was having only her third start over fences when beating Wee George over 2m4f here earlier this month and shouldn't be too disadvantaged by racing over the shorter trip.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hard ridden to challenge after 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs beating Lerida (11-3) by 4l, 11 ran.
Braddock Island 12-1 (11-12) With leaders, went 2nd from 6th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Mad Professor (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Emirate Isle 20-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when fell 2 out, in a race won by Circus Clown (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Lerida 2-1fav (11-3) Led until 6th, rallied when every chance 3 out, led before next, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Gavroche Gaugain (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Flighty Mist 8-1 (10-9) Raced in rear, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon every chance, led approachinng last, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Wee George (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Authentic Act (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 6th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on well, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Gavroche Gaugain (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Chased leader until mistake and bumped 3rd, chased leaders, blundered 5th and dropped to rear, lost touch after 6th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Rince Donn (10-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 5 ran.
