pressed leader, led 6 to 7th, pushed along before 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
raced keenly, held up in rear and well off the pace until 2nd, headway 7th, went 2nd 9th, led after 3 out, headed last, regained lead towards finish
held up, not fluent 9th, closed to go 3rd after 3 out, ridden when jumped right last, one pace
led, headed 6th, led again 7th, headed after 3 out, ridden 2 out, led last, headed towards finish
chased leading pair until jumped slowly 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, hanging right before last
On paper this looks a two horse race between SILVER ADONIS and Kervriou with the former getting the nod while Phoenix Eye is the best of the rest. Having beaten Kervriou in his penultimate start in a fairly strong looking race the selection follow that up with a narrow victory in a handicap. Appearing here in a novice chase the terms are strongly in his favour and he is obviously in good heart. It's difficult to see how Kervriou can over turn that form on the selection off much worse terms but is entitled to go better after that run which came after a break. Phoenix Eye has plenty to find on the two main protagonists according to the official ratings but has held his form well after winning two starts back in a warm looking contest. It's hard to see him winning but he should be at least third home. This could develop into a match race where Silver Adonis can come out on top.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leading pair, chased winner 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Babe Heffron (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Mar.
Kervriou (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden when headed last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Silver Adonis (11-8) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Phoenix Eye 11-2 (10-2) Towards rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, never on terms, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Battlefield (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Silver Adonis (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, all out from last, kept on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Green Gamble (11-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Suprendre Espere 50-1 (11-5) Soon chasing winner until mistake 7th, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind McQueen (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jul.
Peterfly (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, led 5th, jumped right 11th, jumped right 13th, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, terrible blunder last, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Jackella (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
