led until headed 2 out, kept on flat
in touch, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, moderate headway when mistake 4 out, beaten when jumped right 3 out
held up, headway 5 out, ridden next, 2 lengths 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, mistake 6th, led 2 out, driven out
This looks tougher than the chases Figaro Du Rocher has contested so far and the Martin Pipe-trained gelding is deserted in in his hat trick bid in favour of Terre De Java, who has apparently schooled like a demon at home and has plenty of scope for this game. Heather Dalton's charge won in good style at Doncaster in December, where he attacked his fences with a relish. That effort created the impression that this son of Cadoudal has plenty more to offer and he is expected to be very hard to master this afternoon. Chef Tartare has been a little frustrating since he arrived here from France. But as he has experience of fences from his homeland it is safe to assume that he is capable of giving a good account of himself. He is very unlikely to become a stable star for Paul Nicholls but is one to bear in mind for future reference. However, Terre De Java appeals as the one to be on for now and he gets a confident vote today.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 13-8fav Jumped well, led 2nd, shaken up and drew clear flat, easily, won at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan beating Nagano by 10l, 7 ran.
Terre de Java (FR) 2-1 Tracked leaders, led 5 out, very easily, won at Doncaster 2m mdn chs (D) gs in Dec beating Down The Stretch by 5l, 5 ran.
