held up, pushed along after 3 out, headway last, kept on to take 3rd towards finish
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, led soon after last, ran on
held up, progress 4 out, pushed along and slight lead last, soon headed, not quicken
jumped right, led, ridden after 2 out, headed last, one pace
chased leader, ridden and close 2nd when carried right 2 out, every chance when fell last
held up in rear, niggled along and beaten approaching 3 out
Erick Le Rouge did well over hurdles last season, rattling up a four-timer before being pulled up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. He finished ahead of Not That Fuisse at Kempton in February and is better off at the weights as both tackle fences for the first time. On The Slopes has point-to-point experience while Rocco goes well fresh and should make a better chaser than hurdler. Virginia Chick disappointed in a Grade 3 hurdle at Chepstow when last seen but was going well on soft ground earlier, though conditions today may not be testing enough for Evan Williams’ charge. DJANGO DJANGO is a strong stayer so the drop in trip is a worry but he has looked every inch a chaser and he could reel these in if the pace is strong enough.
Django Django (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Skidoosh (11-9) by 4l, 11 ran.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to after 4 out, behind next, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders before 3 out, driven and outpaced turning in, lost place and beaten when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
On The Slopes Evensfav (11-6) Led and set steady pace, increased tempo from 6th, joined when went left and pecked 2 out, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Birds Of Prey (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Rocco (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders until weakened rapidly soon after 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Erick Le Rouge (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Virginia Chick (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 16, 34l behind Lord Napier (10-8) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.