tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, edged right, held on well flat
close up, joined leaders 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out and last, held towards finish
held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, no impression
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened
soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
Regal Heights has shown progressive form over fences, including under testing conditions, and Don McCain's six-year-old warrants plenty of respect but marginal preference is for Percussionist with Andre Chenier rated the best of the rest. The selection was a decent performer on the flat, showed progressive form over hurdles and has done little wrong since being switched to the larger obstacles. The more testing the ground, the better for Percussionist and Howard Johnson's gelding is taken to resume to winning ways. Kristiansand has ability but, along with Desperate Bob, may be out of his depth here and of more interest may be Peter Monteith's Andre Chenier. This looks little more than a match between Regal Heights and Percussionist though with preference for the last mentioned on the two.
Regal Heights (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up, headway to chase leader apporaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on well towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Calatagan (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Percussionist (IRE) 4-5fav (11-9) Tracked winner, switched left approaching last, soon every chance, no extra, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Harmony Brig (11-3) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 27l behind Hollows Mill (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Kristiansand 10-1 (11-4) Made most until headed 3 out, hit next, weakened run-in, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Mighty Fine (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Desperate Bob (IRE) (11-7) pulled up in race won by Rocking Ginger (11-7) at Roscommon 3m ire ptp gs in Nov, 10 ran.
