chased clear leader after 2nd until before 6th, soon struggling, lost modest 3rd when mistake last
held up, behind when not fluent 6th, went modest 3rd last
chased clear leader until after 2nd and again before 6th, gradually closed, led 2 out, clear flat
raced freely and set fast pace, soon well clear, not fluent when reduced advantage 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat
As she's a filly and only a four-year-old, TATISPOUT receives 8lb from her rivals in this and should have few problems adding to her very easy win at Ludlow. Schumpters Lad looks the one for forecast-backers as he's been placed in four of his five starts over the larger obstacles, though has been beaten a long way the last twice. Cardigan Island has been placed between the flags but his efforts under Rules so far have left much to be desired, while Apache Dawn has had 36 runs over hurdles and fences without managing to get his head in front.
Apache Dawn 6-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed after 9th, blundered 3 out, finished weakly, last of 5, 29l behind River Rhapsody (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 12th, lost touch after next, well beaten before 5 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Viking Blond (11-4) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Schumpters Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 1st, soon well behind, not fluent 2nd, jumped left 3rd and 4th, went remote 2nd before 4 out, 2nd of 4, well behind Australia Day (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Tatispout (FR) 13-8fav (10-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2nd, clear from 5th (water), jumping and hanging left from next, left distances clear bend after 9th, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Grasscutter (10-13) by well, 7 ran.
