led to 2nd, remained in touch, pushed along 11th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
towards rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, soon one pace
held up towards rear, headway 9th to track leaders, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on strongly
in touch, mistake and lost place 9th, no danger after
led 2nd, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
Helvetius may not have beaten a great deal when scoring at Wetherby last week but could hardly have been more impressive and is taken to follow up under his penalty, with Guilsborough Gorse and Vandante rated the main dangers. The selection had been running over hurdles but seemed to appreciate the return to the larger obstacles at the Yorkshire venue, jumping well and being value for more than the winning margin. A 7lb penalty leaves Helvetius with more to do but if in the same mood as at Wetherby he should be able to defy the extra burden. Panmure and Guilsborough Gorse are closely matched on their running at Market Rasen last month and both have to respected on that evidence, while Raise A McGregor showed improved form at Sedgefield last time and cannot be discounted. Beaugency represents the in-form yard of Richard Guest and is hard to ignore on his debut over fences but lack of chasing experience is of concern and a bigger threat may come from Richard Lee's Vandante, who lost little in defeat behind Our Jolly Swagman at Newton Abbot on his most recent start. Helvetius could not have been more impressive at Wetherby though and is taken to follow up under his penalty.
Helvetius 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 7th to after 9th, led again 11th, pushed clear 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd beating Penthouse Minstrel (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Guilsborough Gorse 3-1 (11-5) Keen, in touch, went 2nd 11th, with leader 3 out to 2 out, weakened long run-in, 4th of 6, 11l behind Gale Star (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Beaugency (NZ) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
Panmure (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up, pushed along and outpaced 12th, struggling when blundered 4 out, 4th of 7, 48l behind Stack The Pack (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf.
Vandante (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Chased leaders, every chance when blundered badly 3 out, rallied after 2 out, every chance last, not quicken, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Our Jolly Swagman (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f sll hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 6th of 11, 33l behind Multeen Gunner (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Mr Laggan 66-1 (9-7) Behind from halfway, 5th of 11, 29l behind Multeen Gunner (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Raise A McGregor 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well but no impression, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Multeen Gunner (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
