tracked leaders, no impression on leaders when left 4th 4 out, one pace
always prominent, not fluent 6th or 10th, led 3 out, eased close home
held up in mid-division, jumped left 3rd, headway 12th, every chance when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out until after 3 out, went left 2 out, stayed on same pace
in rear, bumped 3rd, struggling after 11th, pulled up before 4 out
always prominent, led 12th, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in rear, hit 2nd, not fluent 10th, mistake 13th, some headway after 14th, hampered and weakened 4 out
held up, jumped left 7th, closed 14th, jumped left and weakened 4 out
led until not fluent 12th, weakened after 14th, tailed off
Five Star Wilshaw did well to beat the well-regarded Sybarite on his chasing debut at Stratford and has scope for further improvement. A penalty will make life tough here, however, as this looks quite competitive. Golden Chieftain won three times over hurdles last season and has a chasing pedigree. He may just need this, however, while Iron Chancellor hasn't been seen since beaten at long odds-on at Uttoxeter in May. Alan King's charge should do better over fences but was beaten over hurdles by OUR ISLAND at Ffos Las in February and it's Tim Vaughan's six-year-old who gets the vote today as he was far from disgraced over fences for the first time at Chepstow when in need of the run. Sangfroid got going too late at Worcester in September and looks to be improving but may do better when tackling handicaps.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 6-4 (11-4) Made most until bad mistake 8th, 2nd before 3 out, led approaching last, driven out (no time taken), won at Stratford 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Sybarite (11-4) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Connak (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked winner, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Giles Cross (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan '10.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outer, headway before 3 out, challenged when mistake 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 20, 19l behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Iron Chancellor (IRE) 2-13fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th, every chance when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and not recover, lost 2nd and weakened approaching next, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Mohi Rahrere (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
One And All (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Raced wide, chased leaders until slow and weakened 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, 50l behind My Brother Sylvest (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Our Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th, 4th of 11, 13l behind Ace High (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Rif (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in last trio on outside, driven and outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 16l behind Mossley (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Sangfroid 7-1 (11-6) Held up, 7 lenghts 5th 4 out, closed last, close 3rd on inside when hampered and snatched up flat, switched right, not recover, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Vincitore (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Timmies Gone (IRE) 4-7 (12-0) Held up; led 12; rdn out, won at Peper Harow 3m ptp gf in May beating Trooper Kit (12-0) by 3l, 3 ran.
