tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well
in touch, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, chased leader 7th, challenged after 4 out, led briefly approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in last, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace to take 3rd last
chased leader 1st to 7th, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, 4th and weakening when fell 2 out
2nd when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, mistake 8th, closed 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening in 5th when hampered 2 out
Nonrunner
We were strongly tempted to side with Acambo but THE WICKETKEEPER may be a safer pair of hands in which to deposit our cash. Moon Over Miami has a great record here and deserves a place on the short-list. Acambo has a little to prove after an abortive first season over fences but his misfortunes leave him on a potentially decent mark and it will be disappointing if this smart hurdler can't take advantage of that at some stage; his yard is sure to have him primed for this meeting. Andreas is on a career high mark but further progress couldn't be ruled out for a horse that was mentioned as a Champion Chase possible a couple of years back. Moon Over Miami ran a stinker at Ascot but that's not the first time that he's thrown in a bad run. He's talented on his day and has won two of his three starts at Cheltenham with the defeat coming in the Arkle. Tramantano hasn't too many miles on the clock and is feasibly handicapped on his hurdling form. He'd need a career best to win this but we wouldn't be too hasty in ruling that possibility out. Dev's second to Stan at Aintree puts him in the picture but he's essentially opposable as is Predateur who weakened tamely at Stratford and it wouldn't appear that his wind operation has worked on that evidence. The Wicketkeeper looked highly promising when winning at Ascot in November but then missed the rest of the season with injury. He returned to action in the same race and never really threatened to get involved although he did enough to finish in front of Moon Over Miami. He has to prove himself in this grade and on soft ground but that run should have brought him on and it could be worth giving The Wicketkeeper the chance to confirm the impression that he made just over a year ago.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, hit 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 11, 26l behind Andreas (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 5-1fav (11-10) Always towards rear, 6th of 13, 25l behind Bleu Superbe (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
Calatagan (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hit 7th, not fluent 9th (water), mistake next, struggling well before 3 out, blundered 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Sou'wester 16-1 (11-9) Blundered 1st, held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.
Predateur (FR) 11-10fav (11-3) Mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, headway 8th, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Crescent Island (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Tramantano 4-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit approaching last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct beating Brave Villa (10-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Dev (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Led and clear, reduced lead from 4th, strongly pressed when slight mistake 3 out, soon headed and weakened, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Irish Invader (10-3) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Andreas (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leader, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, driven out, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Lord Henry (11-2) by 9l, 11 ran.
Acambo (GER) 10-1 (11-7) Led until 3 out, weakened quickly, eased when beaten, last of 6, well behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Mid-division, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 17l behind Bleu Superbe (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
