held up behind leaders, ridden after 6th, headway approaching 2 out, staying on and disputing 2nd when blundered last, not recover
tracked leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, led next, driven out
held up behind leaders, ridden and headway to chase winner 2 out, stayed on
prominent, led 2nd until after 3rd, chased leader, weakened approaching 2 out, virtually pulled up flat
chased leaders, led 6th until 2 out, weakened
led until 2nd, led after 3rd, headed 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
This is a smashing race in which Chamoss Royale is selected ahead of Refinement and United. Refinement is a great credit to herself and she landed her 11th race from 19 career starts when winning at Kempton last time. A four-pounds rise for that against some classy rivals might prove too much for her today though. A Grade 1 winner in 2005, United got back to winning ways at Haydock last time and is respected from her current mark, while Chamoss Royale's mark over hurdles looks fair and, having beaten Inch Pride by 12 lengths in a novice chase last time - the latter is eight pounds better off today - she looks set to play a leading part in today's contest. Chickapeakray won so well at Haydock in the mud last time that a ten-pounds rise might not stop her from going well, while Malay is actually on a winning mark from April of last year, but more-recent efforts have lacked sparkle. Once again, then, for the selection, we return to Chamoss Royale.
Refinement (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to track leading trio from 6th, ridden to challenge between last 3, led 2 out, driven right out flat, won at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Fountain Crumble (9-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
United (GER) 7-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, chased leader bypassing ommited hurdle 2 out, led towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec beating Whispered Promises (10-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Chamoss Royale (FR) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on well from 2 out, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Inch Pride (11-9) by 12l, 7 ran.
Inch Pride (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) In touch, chased leader 7th, led 13th, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Cool Roxy (10-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Chickapeakray 5-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 4th, mistake and led 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec beating Clemax (11-4) by 8l, 9 ran.
Malay 12-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 7th of 11, 14l behind Rowley Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
