led, clear after 3 out until hung right after 2 out, hung right after last, headed and not run on
pulled hard, held up, closed 3rd, went 2nd after next until not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, closed before 6th, no impression on leaders next, went modest 3rd after 2 out
chased leader until after 4th, went 2nd again 3 out, soon ridden, closed after 2 out, led flat, soon clear
chased leaders, lost ground on front trio before 5th, weakened before 4 out
in rear, not fluent 6th, soon pushed along and lost touch
took keen hold, not jump well, chased leaders, lost place 3rd, just about in touch 6th, well beaten from next
Dan Skelton was off the mark for the new season on Saturday and is doubly represented here with FERROBIN much preferred. The Robin Des Champs gelding was an early casualty last time but previous efforts, notably when runner-up to the useful Harambe, set a pretty daunting standard. He has to give away plenty of weight all round but should be up to the task. Chef De Troupe has yet to sparkle since joining the Newland operation but had decent French form in the context of this race and it will be interesting to see if wind surgery precipitates improvement. However, on the formbook it is Alan King's Smith's Bay who looks the main danger to the Skelton top weight.
Ferrobin (IRE) 11-10 (11-6) In touch when hit and fell 2nd, at Stratford 2m 6f (4) gd in Apr.
Chef De Troupe (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up behind, went modest 4th when jumped right from 5th, never near leaders, weakened flat, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Leapaway (11-8) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Jul.
Nessfield Blue 200-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, struggling 7th, well beaten when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Diomede des Mottes (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Smith's Bay 16-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, closer in 6th after 4 out, pushed long in 5th and no impression before went left and mistake 2 out, 5th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Dashel Drasher (11-11) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Mar.
Easkey Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up off the pace in 5th, outpaced 3 out, went modest 4th from 3 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Umndeni (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Mega Move (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Ww twrds rr, 4th 1/2way, 5l dwn 4out, brfly 2nd 3out, drpd to 3rd next, ko smepce str, 4th of 6, 5l behind Maggie Margaret (11-11) at Tyrella 3m mdn gf in Jan.
Pepper Street (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 3 out, blundered next, 6th of 7, dist behind Our Power (11-4) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
