in rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish, never dangerous
not fluent, held up, headway 2nd, lost place 5th, mistake next, tailed off
tracked leader, led 3rd, drew clear from 3 out, eased final 100 yards
chased leaders until 2nd, behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
jumped left, led until 3rd, chased winner until approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, chased winner approaching 7th, no impression from 3 out, weakening when went right last
mid-division, hit 6th, never on tems with leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
Raduis Bleu and Jim Tango are interesting but we'll take FIGHTING CHANCE to confirm Newbury form with Wheels Up. The eight runners in this field are separated by just 3lbs which is an indication of how competitive it is but Richard Lee's gelding is on a roll at present. If he's going to keep that run going he's going to need to get the better of Wheels Up whom he meets on 2lb worse terms for two and a half lengths but he appeared to win with a little in hand and is taken to do so. Jim Tango seemed to relish the return to chasing when fitted with blinkers and he dotted up at Catterick when leaving the impression that there should be more races to be won with him whilst Raduis Bleu hasn't cut much ice over hurdles but he's bred to jump a fence and connections have wasted no time in switching his attention. Dinarius is another trying fences for the first time although his pedigree would be a less obvious pointer to his chances but he won well over hurdles last time. In truth, as the ratings suggest, none can be ruled out with any confidence but Fighting Chance won't go down without a fight.
Approved Force (USA) 17-2 (11-9) Took keen hold, in touch, mistake and weakened 12th, struggling when hit 4 out, tailed off in 7th when blundered 3 out and pulled up before next, in a race won by Iconoclast (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Cockatoo (USA) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd next, 1 length down when hit last, held flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind King Brex (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Led 3rd, made rest, blundered 3 out, in command last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Wheels Up (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
French Saulaie (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 22l behind Gold Award (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Jim Tango (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Made all, not fluent 5 out, unchallenged, won at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in Dec beating Spellchecker (11-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Wheels Up (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Slight lead to 3rd, chased winner after, driven between last 2, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Dinarius 9-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway when mistake 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven flat, all out (no time taken), won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan beating Oh No Not Harry (11-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Raduis Bleu (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Kerada (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
