tended to jump right, led, hit 2nd, went right 6th, hit 4 out, ridden and joined last, headed and no extra final 100 yards
not fluent, chased leader, mistake 7th, mistake and lost 2nd at 9th, pushed along after 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up behind leading pair, chased leader 9th, upsides and going best when hit last, driven and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
Just the three runners turn up for this two mile two furlong Novices Chase and after, as expected, taking really well to chasing we have to side with TATANIANO over Sunnyhillboy and Suntini. The pick always looked a chaser when scoring three times over timber and he duly improved when introduced to fences. He sauntered to victory at Exeter on his chasing debut before possibly stepping up on that to easily land a Grade Two event last time. He still looks to be on the up grade so should take all the beating. Sunnyhillboy has a rating of 134 but that has been mostly calculated taken from his hurdles career where he was successful in listed company. He's largely been disappointing over fences in three starts so far and he will need to step up his game to win here. Suntini won his chase debut in a handicap before a solid effort under a ten worse mark last time. He looks to have a bit to find on the pick, though, based on all known form so Tataniano looks set for victory.
Tataniano (FR) 5-6fav (11-6) Made all, jumped well, left clear 3 out, not extended, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) sft in Nov beating Pigeon Island (11-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Not always fluent, in touch, slightly hampered 8th, headway to 3rd at 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 49l behind Take The Breeze (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Suntini (GER) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up well in rear, mistake 9th, headway to modest 4th 3 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 12l behind Green Belt Elite (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
