with leader, led 7 out, ridden before last, kept on well
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 6 out, kept on and always held by winner
led, headed 7 out, lost place 6 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and one pace before 2 out
in rear, pushed along before 7 out, soon tailed off
Tchang Goon has no chance on official figures but will pick up some prize money for just completing. There's a suspicion that Valco De Touzaine is best on a faster surface and the same comment may also apply to Balder Success, although the latter's defeat of Baby Mix over track and trip in November gives him leading claims on the book. Lord Of The House scored in heavy ground at Ludlow last time and had earlier gone close behind Tresor De Bontee. But the latter has been well beaten by BRICK RED at Wincanton subsequently so it's Venetia Williams' charge that rates the selection in a competitive chase.
Balder Succes (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, headed 4th, chased leader, mistake 8th, lost 2nd 4 out, chased leading pair until 3 out, weakened soon after, went right last, 5th of 6, 23l behind Hinterland (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Brick Red 9-4 (11-5) Tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, pushed out flat, cosily, won at Wincanton 2m (3) sft in Jan beating Notarfbad (10-11) by 1l, 4 ran.
Lord Of House (GER) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leader, hit 4th, blundered and lost 2nd 7th, dropped to 4th next, rallied to 2nd again approaching 4 out, led narrowly next, joined 2 out, ridden and slight lead when hung badly left flat, stayed on and on top close home, won at Ludlow 2m (3) hvy in Jan beating Sir Valentino (10-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 9-4 (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Mwaleshi (11-3) at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Tchang Goon (FR) 100-1 (9-7) Some slow jumps, raced in last, lost touch 8th, tailed off, went 4th flat, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Aachen (10-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy.
