held up in rear, raced keenly to 3rd, not fluent 3 out, effort on inside 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced and no impression when not fluent last, weakened flat
tracked leader until 4th, lost place 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th, not fluent 7th, challenged last, soon led, headed and outpaced by winner final 150 yards
held up in touch in 4th, closed 3 out, challenged last, shaken up to lead final 150 yards, ran on well and drew clear, easily
led, ridden and joined when mistake last, soon headed, no extra final 150 yards
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, effort on outside 3 out, hit 2 out, outpaced before last, weakened flat
A new season at Cheltenham gets under way with a typically-competitive novice event. With no doubt a sign of things to come, almost half the field comprises of Irish raiders. Sandymount Duke was bidding for a five-timer at Killarney in August but finished last of five behind the progressive EXXARO, who could the one to beat today. Gordon Elliott's Casual Approach is also heading in the right direction and can't be ignored while the home team is headed by the unbeaten Penglai Pavilion. He lost his way on the Flat last year but has won by wide margins at Hexham and Stratford over timber, though steps up considerably in distance this afternoon. Oh Land Abloom is tough and preferred to May's Ffos Las winner Laurium and hurdling debutant Robin Of Locksley of the remainder.
Casual Approach (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In rear at slow pace to before 7th, closed on outer 3 out, challenged at last, stayed on well run-in to just edge ahead at finish,, won at Navan 2m 6f gd in Sep beating Sang Tiger (11-10) by hd, 5 ran.
Exxaro (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, progress to lead 3 out, soon driven, led narrowly 2 out where mistake and jockey lost right iron, headed before last, rallied to lead after last, kept on best, won at Killarney 2m 6f gd in Aug beating Credo Star (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Laurium 4-6fav (11-5) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, driven to lead before last, ridden out flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gd in May beating Berea Venture (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Penglai Pavilion (USA) 4-9fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led after 5 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m (4) gf in Jul beating No Win No Fee (10-12) by 22l, 9 ran.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Led, ridden before 3 out where headed, dropped to 3rd 2 out, no extra and eased before last, last of 5, 12 1/4l behind Exxaro (11-4) at Killarney 2m 6f gd in Aug.
Robin Of Locksley (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Led, soon clear, reduced lead from 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, soon no impression, one pace, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Anibale Fly (12-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Mar.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 2-5fav (11-10) Held up mainly in 3rd, challenged when not fluent 2 out, virtually upsides when mistake last, ridden and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Crimson Ark (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
