Racecards
14:05 Wincanton
Paddy Power Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 35y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £24,000 added
- Winner: £13,668
- 2nd: £5,129
- 3rd: £2,568
- 4th: £1,279
- Form 2130-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leader, narrowly led 5th, pushed along 13th, outpaced after 4 out, went second before 2 out, kept on after last but no match for easy winner
- Form 311P-32
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer Nick Mitchell
- Jockey Tom Cannon
led, narrowly headed 5th, pushed along after 13th, ridden before 3 out, dropped to rear before 2 out, kept on after last but lacked pace to trouble front pair
- Form 1233/4-1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 147
held up, going strongly 4 out, smooth headway to lead 3 out, went clear before 2 out, briefly ridden run-in, easily
In depth
Verdict
PROTEKTORAT doesn't have much in hand over Messire Des Obeaux on official ratings but was highly impressive when scoring at Cheltenham and was earmarked for this after the race. He's rated 7lb higher than Alan King's charge, a very smart hurdler who had few problems making a successful chasing debut on this track, and only has to concede 3lb. Lieutenant Rocco looks certain to win plenty of races over fences after two promising runs though probably not today.
Formwatch
Protektorat (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) Jumped well, made all, clear before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov beating Southfield Stone (11-10) by 17l, 4 ran.
Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 8th, driven and headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 5 out, jumped into lead 4 out, went clear 3 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Coconut Splash (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.