tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out
tracked leader and keen, led from 2nd, made rest, not fluent 4 out when clear, easily
led to 2nd, tracked winner, pushed along before 6 out, weakened before 4 out
held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway before 6 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear and wide, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, went 4th after 5 out, not fluent next, ridden before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, blundered 6 out, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, pushed along before 5 out, soon went 2nd, ridden before 3 out, no chance with winner
AS DE FER scored over hurdles in France and won two handicaps over fences earlier this year for new connections. He hasn't been seen since March but has plenty of scope and the absence isn't too much of a concern. He can take this though Red Rouble looks a threat as he remains on the same mark here despite a very good run behind Victory Gunner over the C&D three weeks ago. Colin Tizzard has his horses in tremendous form so the fact that Song Sung Blue returns after an absence since April of last year shouldn't be a problem and he looks the type to do well this season, especially when the mud is flying. The remainder arrive out of form though Phardessa'a spin over hurdles earlier in the month will have done her good and she's dropped to a very fair mark.
Song Sung Blue (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, hit 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on approaching last, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 10l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr '10.
As De Fer (FR) 11-8 (11-7) Led to 2nd, hit 4th, led again 6th, blundered next, mistake 8th, hit 9th, ridden and headed last, soon weakened, last of 3, 14l behind Alvarado (11-8) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Ikorodu Road 5-1 (11-2) With winner until hit 2nd, last 6th, gradually lost touch from next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Made In Time (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) sft, 5 ran.
Minella Boys (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Always behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Power Pack Jack (10-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
Only Vintage (USA) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Master Overseer (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy, 13 ran.
Misstree Dancer 12-1 (10-1) Chased leading trio until lost place after 7th, no chance when slihtly hampered 11th, 6th of 11, 20l behind Fistral Beach (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Phardessa 22-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 4 out, weakened before next, 9th of 13, well behind Master Overseer (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Red Rouble (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway 9th, chased winner after 13th, unable to challenge, stayed on, no impression flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Victory Gunner (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
