chased leading trio, went 3rd 5th until 8th, went 3rd again after 13th, going well before 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, driven and no chance with leading duo from next, tailed off
not always fluent, held up in 5th, headway to 3rd and hit 8th, chased leader after 13th, hit 14th, driven after 2 out, led last, drew clear flat, eased close home
chased clear leader, closed 11th, led 13th, reminders before next, driven after 2 out, headed and no extra last
in touch, reminders when blundered 3rd, soon lost touch, pulled up before 5th
chased leading pair until 5th, lost place 7th, struggling 10th, tailed off when blundered 14th, pulled up before 4 out
Quartz Du Montceau was a ready winner when last seen and if in that mood on reappearance may be tough to beat. This time though PANZER might have the fitness edge and Don McCain's charge was very impressive when scoring last time. Granted that was in a selling handicap but on his hurdles form he remains well treated. You Can Of Course has run well in defeat the last twice but still looks a little high in the weights while Monsieur Georges can be given an outsiders squeak at a course he likes. Three main protagonists here and Panzer looks the form choice.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Jumped well, made all, forged clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr beating Hobb's Dream (10-6) by 7l, 5 ran.
Panzer (GER) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd when not fluent 3 out, led after 2 out, edged right after last, driven clear, won at Worcester 3m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Supreme Team (10-1) by 12l, 15 ran.
You Can of Course (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 3 out, joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Isintshelovely (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Giggles O'Shea (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, weakened 11th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Chase (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Mar, 5 ran.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, reminders after 7th, outpaced 11th, weakened 14th, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Von Galen (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd.
Hazelbury 40-1 (10-0) In touch until last last and and pulled up 17th, struggling 12th, tailed off, in a race won by Outside Investor (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gf, 8 ran.
