prominent, led 6th until blundered badly 9th, gradually faded
held up behind, blundered badly 9th, pulled up after next
led until after 6th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, soon one pace
held up towards rear, outpaced 11th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
held up behind, mistake 4th, heaway from 11th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, went 2nd after 10th, every chance when not much room and hit 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 9th
chased leaders, hit 7th, soon dropped to rear, mistake 9th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, hit 8th, smooth headway from 12th, led 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
mid-division, hit 1st, headway and close 3rd when hit 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, took closer order 3 out, pressed winner from 2 out, every chance flat, held close home
in touch, went 2nd 7th, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten
This is a really competitive handicap chase and we will side with Tamarinbleu to get the better of Hoo La Baloo and Royal Shakespeare. The selection won over a longer trip last time when narrowly out-gunning Crozan in a tight finish on this track. He showed a really good attitide that day and with no trip or ground worries here he looks to hold a leading chance. Hoo La Baloo also won last time when beating Cedar Chief at Sandown but he is dropped significantly in trip today and he looks to have more on his plate this afternoon. He should be capable of getting competitive though, along with Royal Shakespeare who beat Trouble at Bay over 2m at Kempton last time. The latter will enjoy this ground and as that latest effort was his first try over the chase fences he should come on for the experience. Bishop's Bridge does not know how to run a bad race these days so looks to have solid each-way claims, but Tamarinbleu is a smart performer and can lead them home.
Mister McGoldrick 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, always behind, 6th of 10, 27l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent and headed after last, ran on to lead again last strides, gamely, won at Ascot 2m 5f chs (2) gs in Dec beating Crozan (11-7) by a shd, 6 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 4-5fav (12-10) In touch, headway to track leaders 12th, went 2nd at 16th, led 4 out, clear next, very easily, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft beating Cedar Chief (11-7) by 13l, 13 ran.
Kalca Mome (FR) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, brief effort 10th, hit 12th, struggling 4 out, 10th of 11, 47l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
Magic Sky (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out, hampered bend over 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Always behind, 18th of 23, 45l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Prominent, ridden to challenge after 3 out, every chance from 2 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Avitta (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 6-4jt-fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, closed to lead soon after 3 out, in command when mistake 2 out, driven clear, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan beating Trouble At Bay (11-7) by 10l, 6 ran.
