tracked leader, lost place 5th, behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled 2 out
chased leaders, ridden along 3 out, soon weakened
held up, steady headway 4 out, 2nd going to 3 out, no extra towards finish
made all, 4 lengths clear when hit last, held on gamely
chased leaders, driven 9th, no danger after
The popular Premier Dane may prove too strong for Zirkel and Tagula Blue. The selection has some top class form to his name as exemplified by his close third in the County Hurdle in 2007 and he produced another solid effort in the same race last season. His high mark in that sphere has prompted connections to switch his attention to chasing and he ran well behind a useful sort at Sedgefield on his chase bow. He's taken to go one better this afternoon. Zirkel hasn't proved easy to win with but he's a fair sort on his day and ran creditably when pitched straight into handicap company for his first outing over fences; he should be involved here. Tagula Blue has failed to recapture his best form in recent months but the switch to chasing may help buck his ideas up and he's not dismissed and nor is Enhancer who shaped quite well on his return from a long break at Huntingdon last time. The remainder look up against it and the stage is set for Premier Dane to open his account over fences.
Enhancer 8-1 (10-12) Keen, held up in rear, kept on approaching last, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Mister Benedictine (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
He's My Man (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until behind from 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Rathmulen (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Magic Clover (ARG) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until after 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 4th of 7, 20l behind Mister Benedictine (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (4) gd in May.
Premier Dane (IRE) Evensjt-fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, challenged last, soon led, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Safari Run (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in May.
Seymour Weld 12-1 (10-11) Chased winner, mistake 7th, ridden after 9th, held when mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Strong Weld (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in May.
Zirkel (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Closed up, driven to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Orfeo Conti (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, driven after 8th, weakened 2 out, 12th of 15, 41l behind Schindlers Son (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May.
