chased leaders, mistakes 16th and 17th, soon weakened, moderate 4th
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden, rallied before last, soon every chance, no extra close home
held up in rear, slow 12th, soon detatched, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, chased leaders 16th, not fluent 4 out, weakened 3 out, modest 3rd
prominent, mistake 11th, led before 4 out, hard ridden next, strongly challenged approaching last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, under pressure 13th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out
took keen hold in rear, slow 7th, soon detatched, pulled up before 9th
Nonrunner
A few of these made the frame on their latest starts. Rocky Bender and Royaume Bleu both went close at this track and Towcester respectively but Dimpsy Time was still beaten a long way when runner-up here earlier this month. ROYAL CHATELIER carries a penalty for a nine-length victory at Ffos Las a week ago but is fancied to land a hat-trick in his current form and he gets the nod. The Big Freeze is reunited with winning partner Richard Johnson and should be thereabouts again.
The Big Freeze (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, not much room 5 out, headway 4 out, 4th and one pace approaching last, 4th of 16, 14l behind Noble Legend (11-1) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Royal Chatelier (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Pressed leader, led 5th until next, disputing lead from 13th, led 2 out, clear before last, stayed on well flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Billybo (10-13) by 9l, 8 ran.
Border Station (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Held up in touch in rear, jumped right and not always fluent, headway 5 out, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 41l behind Marie Des Anges (11-1) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Shantou Breeze (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Last pair, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 10, 38l behind Five Rivers (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Dimpsy Time 33-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 20l behind Pyleigh Lass (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Witness That (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Chased leaders until 7th, soon weakened, 18th of 19, well behind Tolkeins Tango (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Moscow Mule 150-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, well behind Opera Og (10-12) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Rocky Bender (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent throughout, hard ridden to challenge last, soon every chance, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Roll The Dice (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Royaume Bleu (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Led until 11th, rallied after 3 out, hard ridden to challenge next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Quayside Court (10-6) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
