held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, every chance and going well when badly hampered 3 out, not recover, one pace
in rear and mistakes, pushed along and weakened before 4 out
held up behind, headway before 4 out, led before 3 out and going well when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, soon mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden and headway before 3 out, soon left 2nd, kept on and held towards finish
held up mid-division, soon tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up behind, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, soon left 3rd, kept on same pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
led from 3rd to 6th, weakened before 3 out
led to 3rd, led again 6th, headed before 3 out, soon left in lead, not fluent 2 out, kept on towards finish
always towards rear
Paul Nicholls sends STILLETTO into handicap company after just a couple of runs in novice chases in what is a decent turnout for a good purse. Proven on heavy ground in France, the 7-y-o should have plenty more to offer over the larger obstacles, especially having looked likely to retain his unbeaten record over fences last time before seeming not to get home. The Nicholls yard was not really firing at the time but is back in full swing now and his charge looks on a workable mark here. As De Fer is of considerable interest off the bottom perch after a Warwick romp, Quite By Chance is progressive and dangerous seeking a course hat-trick and The Italian Yob and Brody Bleu are also noteworthy in a competitive chase.
Unique De Cotte (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, unseated rider 9th, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Majala (FR) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Stilletto (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, left 3rd at 3rd, left sole rival next, poised to challenge 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed after last, found little flat, well held final 110 yards, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Violet Dancer (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Brody Bleu (FR) 28-1 (11-9) Held up when fell 2nd, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Quite By Chance 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, left in lead 12th, headed 3 out, soon rallied and every chance, led again last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Wuff (11-11) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
The Italian Yob (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Mystifiable (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gores Island (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear when brought down 12th, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Starkie 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, detatched 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Saint Raph (FR) 6-1 (10-8) With winner, led 3rd, headed after next, no impression before 3 out, blundered next, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 7, 36l behind Otago Trail (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
As De Fer (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, led 14th, clear 4 out, stumbled on bend before making mistake 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Willoughby Hedge (11-12) by 26l, 10 ran.
Vivaccio (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Disputed lead, 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon beaten, 4th and no impression next, 4th of 9, 17l behind Big Jim (10-5) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
