held up in last, hit 7th, left 3rd when hampered 4 out, pressed for 2nd going well 3 out, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat
led, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, kept on
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, left 2nd 4 out, pushed along next, lost 2nd then pecked 2 out, soon switched right, 3rd and beaten from last
tracked leader, blundered 2nd, fell 4 out
NonRunner
Cubomania has won three times over fences since August but all were in Scotland. However, he was third in a Grade 3 at Punchestown earlier this month and is a strong traveller. Monbeg Legend has also taken well to fences this year and has yet to finish out of the first two. Graasten won easily at Fontwell but has come up short when sent to bigger tracks in the past. MOVEWITHTHETIMES didn’t progress as expected last season but has maintained his maiden status and has a clean slate after a break. If showing his best form, he could be too classy for these. Knight In Dubai has had a wind operation since last seen and should make a chaser so can’t be ignored.
Cubomania (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden and disputed lead on outer 2 out, soon headed, no impression in 3rd at last, onepaced run-in, 3rd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Cadmium (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Monbeg Legend 11-8fav (11-2) Led, not fluent 9th, ridden and headed when slightly awkward last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Spiritofthegames (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f lst (1) gd in Oct.
Graasten (GER) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, left 2nd 6th, pushed along to challenge 3 out, led and pecked 2 out, soon clear, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Oct beating Ennistown (11-4) by 12l, 4 ran.
Knight In Dubai (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up, always towards rear, struggling after 4 out, tailed off from last, 13th of 14, dist behind Samcro (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Movewiththetimes (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place when mistake and pecked 12th, not recover, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
