tracked leaders, driven to challenge after 4 out, led after next, ridden out
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 7th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
in rear and never travelling, blundered 5th, reminders after 7th, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
led, hit and headed 3rd, remained prominent, weakened before 8th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
Official ratings aside Classic Fiddle stands out off the page in this novices' chase and can provide Nicky Henderson with another winner here, while Pauillac can provide the main danger. The selection has been beaten only once in seven starts under rules, and that by the very useful Gaspara. The mare has won two similar contests in good style with cut in the ground, but she seems to act on anything and this trip suits so we expect her to win. Pauillac is another who seems to go on most ground and was thought quick enough to run in the Triumph Hurdle last season. A win on his chase debut has been has not quite been matched yet and perhaps he is better over shorter. Strawberry is not a bad sort who usually gives her running but she has a fair bit to find with the selection and Templer looks best of the other pair, but Classic Fiddle can call the tune.
Templer (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, struggling 8th, ridden approaching 12th, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Boomshakalaka (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Pauillac (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Led, headed approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Sobers (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Classic Fiddle 13-8fav (10-11) Prominent, headway after 11th, led 4 out, stayed on gamely from 2 out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb beating Rustarix (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Present Oriented (USA) 100-1 (11-4) Hit 1st, always behind, last of 5, 38l behind Silverburn (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Feb.
Strawberry (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Led, clear 4 out until after 3 out, ridden and headed near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind My Petra (10-10) at Hereford 2m mrs beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
