led, jumped left 2nd, headed 4th, lost 2nd 8th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th, pressed 2 out, in command flat, stayed on well
held up, headway from 4 out, 3rd after next, never on terms
tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, went 2nd 8th, ridden before 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, soon ridden and beaten
chased leaders, hit 4th, closed 8th, went 2nd from 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner flat
It hasn't taken long for Dan Skelton to find the key to ULIS DE VASSY (NAP), who skated up over course and distance nine days ago. A 7lb penalty is unlikely to stem his progress and a follow-up looks likely. Tony Martin's Five O'clock Tea looks the danger getting 12lb with Richard Johnson on board, though is still seeking a first victory over fences. Town Mouse was close up when falling at Fakenham last time and Definite Future likewise over 2m4f here last month. Vasco D'ycy is proving difficult to place but Lisbon represents last year's winning connections so is worth a market check.
Town Mouse 10-11fav (10-10) Tracked leader, 1 length down when fell 4 out, in a race won by Red Seventy (10-9) at Fakenham 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 4 ran.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 13-8fav (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd, clear 4 out, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun beating Kitegen (11-3) by 23l, 8 ran.
Lisbon (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led to 7th, outpaced 10th, 4th of 6, 22l behind Vodka Wells (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Definite Future (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, 3 lengths down when fell last, in a race won by Gone Too Far (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun, 6 ran.
Vasco D'Ycy (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Always in rear, 6th of 8, 19l behind Bearly Legal (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Five O'clock Tea (FR) 11-8fav (9-5) Held up in touch in rear, progress into close 4th 4 out, headway to dispute lead on inner after 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on same pace in 2nd from last, 2nd of 7, 7l behind As De Pique (9-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gd in May.
