held up in touch, challenged before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
tracked leader, outpaced from 4 out, kept on and no impression
led to 5th, lost place from 9th, tailed off next, pulled up
held up towards rear and in touch, mistake 8th, headway after 5 out, led before 4 out, headed before last, no extra
close up, led 5th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up
in rear, pushed along after 5 out, soon weakened, pullled up
Tea For Two is engaged in the Scilly Isles novices' chase at Sandown earlier today and a glance at the result may prove informative as the latter beat third-placed NATIVE RIVER in the Grade 1 Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. But Colin Tizzard's charge had won a Grade 2 at Newbury before that and looks sure to make another bold bid in this. Bitofapuzzle is also engaged in the Scilly Isles but this is her first preference and she was in the lead when unseating in a Grade 2 at Thurles last month. Blaklion ran well for second in The Dipper novices' chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and has strong claims while Definitly Red was placed in a Listed chase at Warwick three weeks ago and is another to consider in a hot novices' event.
Blaklion 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, close 2nd 11th, ridden after 2 out, switched right flat, held final 100 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Native River (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Close up, lost place 11th, rallied 4 out, chased leading pair 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Tea For Two (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Kingswell Theatre 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, mistake 8th, under pressure 14th, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 36l behind Rigadin De Beauchene (10-11) at Haydock 3m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Definitly Red (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in last pair, not fluent 12th, effort from 14th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven before last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Black Hercules (11-4) at Warwick 3m lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Bitofapuzzle 3-10fav (11-0) Prominent and disputed lead, led after 3rd, 2 lengths advantage travelling well when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Run Ructions Run (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 5th, pushed along before 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
