with leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, shaken up to close on leading pair after 6th, weakened before 3 out
led, hit 1st and 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
Presenting Copper showed a liking for soft ground when successful at Warwick last time and the Phillip Hobbs-trained mare has to be respected despite a penalty for that success but she may struggle to follow up against Royals Darling, who is preferred. The selection was easily the pick of these over hurdles, handles cut in the ground and he is sure to have been well schooled by Nicky Henderson ahead of this his debut over fences. Nick Gifford's Russian Around is hard to weigh up after just two career starts but probably needs to improve to trouble the judge.
Royals Darling (GER) 9-4fav (11-0) Close up, hit 4 out when weakening, 5th of 6, well behind Spring Breeze (9-9) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr.
Russian Around (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 4 out, chased leader and mistake 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, every chance when fell at the last in race won by Triggernometry (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Presenting Copper (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, mistakes 1st and 3rd, led 6th, ridden clear last, ran on well flat, won at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Le Burf (11-0) by 13l, 6 ran.
