held up in 3rd, not fluent 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened flat
jumped left, led until 3 out, weakened approaching last, regained 2nd flat
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, led 3 out, driven clear after last, eased close home
blundered and unseated rider 1st
Le Volfoni just secures the nod ahead of Portavadie. Paul Nicholls' team continue in good heart at the moment and Le Volfoni should make use of the four-year old's allowance against older horses. In fairness, his form suggests he should be up to this without those allowances. A winner last time out, he finished second to current Arkle hotpot Voy Por Ustedes at Warwick in November. Portavadie has already begun to repay his substantial purchase price for Ashleybank Investments. A progressive type, he should be winning more races but it is a tough task to give so much weight away to the Nicholls horse. At the weights, he has to give the equivalent of 7lb (including his rider's allowance) for a one length beating of Tusk. Mr Lewin is a maiden under both codes and he will need others to make errors in order for him to be competitive here. Le Volfoni has a solid look about him on all racecourse form and we seek not to oppose him on this occasion.
Portavadie 10-11fav (11-2) Held up, in touch, headway 4th, led approaching 5 out, not fluent next, mistake last, kept on, won at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) hvy beating Tusk (11-2) by 1l, 7 ran.
Tusk 5-1 (11-2) Close up, effort 3 out, every chance flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Portavadie (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) hvy.
Le Volfoni (FR) 10-11fav (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, led after 7th, clear approaching last, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m beg chs (D) hvy beating Steppes of Gold (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Mr Lewin 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 10, 30l behind Rare Coincidence (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
