tracked leader, disputed lead from 10th, hard driven before 3 out, under pressure in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, under pressure after 4 out, soon lost touch, left in remote 2nd at 2 out, no chance with easy winner
made virtually all, joined from 10th, left well clear at 2nd last, very easily
Wishfull Thinking is rated 3lb higher than PTIT ZIG by the official handicapper but the latter would have finished ahead of the veteran chaser in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month had he not come down at the last. Providing the younger horse doesn't allow his old rival too much rope here, he should get back to winning ways. Triolo D'Alene has a bit to find with the other pair, despite receiving 10lb, and is also making his seasonal reappearance.
Ptit Zig (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Chased leader until 2nd, not fluent and in last pair from 4th, jumped slowly 8th, left 3rd 11th, went 2nd and ridden before not being fluent 2 out, 2 1/2 lengths down when fell last, at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Wishfull Thinking 11-2 (11-10) Set fast pace and clear from 2nd until 11th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, left 3rd last, 3rd of 5, dist behind Al Ferof (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Triolo D'Alene (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up well in rear, steady headway into 7th before 3 out, ridden and stayed on before last, driven into 3rd run-in, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 12 3/4l behind Unioniste (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
