tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd, mistake 4th, not fluent next, demoted to 3rd from 8th, nudged along 4 out, went 2nd again 2 out, driven flat, flashed tail and wandered, no impression
made all, jumped right, pushed along 6th, reminder after next, stayed on gamely
tracked winner, jumped right and not fluent 1st, raced in 3rd from 2nd, chased winner again 8th until 2 out, soon outpaced
A cracking battle in prospect between Eastlake and INDIAN DAUDAIE, although neither has yet to oblige over this trip over fences. However, both were proficient at this distance over timber and the Nicholls charge gets the vote to follow up last Monday's comfortable Fontwell success. Eastlake may well turn out to be the better long-prospect but has his work cut out on this occasion conceding 7lb to the selection in a fascinating contest further spiced by the chasing debut of Red Not Blue. The latter has every chance on hurdles ratings but this is a tough ask first time over fences and he's jumping the larger obstacles late in life.
Eastlake (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead last, kept on, idled run-in, won at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) gd in May beating Court In Session (11-5) by 1l, 3 ran.
Indian Daudaie (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 6 lengths clear approaching last, held on under pressure flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (4) gs beating Beside The Fire (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Zipit (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) With winner, led 2nd until next, stayed close 2nd, not fluent 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, no extra 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Stonethrower (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in May.
Red Not Blue (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Native Gallery (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Top Green (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in touch towards rear, lost place approaching 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Littledean Jimmy (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
