tracked winner to 8th, headway and effort approaching 4 out, ridden and 3 lengths down last, soon no impression
held up, chased winner 8th to after 5 out, 2 lengths 3rd when fell next
led, quicken 7th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
Withdrawn
Royal Rosa is just preferred to L'Antartique, with Livingonaknifedge and Roobihoo having it to do. Royal Rosa was a useful hurdler, his biggest success coming in a Grade 2 event at Haydock in 2004. However, that was to be his last visit to the winner's enclosure as he missed the whole of last season due to leg problems. With that in mind, Howard Johnson must be given credit for bringing him back to run a blinder on his chase debut at Carlisle last month. Sent off as favourite, he had to play second fiddle to According To John in the end, but gave a really good account, and is destined to take high order amongst the northern novices. He is taken to find the necessary improvement needed to outgun L'Antartique who went down narrowly at Uttoxeter last time. Connections have not lost faith in him and he should also pay to follow. Livingonaknifedge and Roobihoo have it to do in this company, so in what could be a straight shootout, it is Royal Rosa that is the pick.
L'Antartique (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, keen, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, every chance from last, ran on, 2nd of 12, shd behind Heez A Dreamer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Prominent, chased winner 4th to before 3 out, disputing 3rd when blundered 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Backstage (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Rosa (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Led, ridden 3 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3l behind According To John (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Roobihoo (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased winner to 2 out, ridden to regain 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Standin Obligation (11-3) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf in May.
