took keen hold, led, jumped right and not fluent 1st, clear 8th, reduced lead 13th, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out
chased leaders on outside, led 4 out, headed next, soon led again, clear before last, very easily
mid-division, headway 4 out, not much room before 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader until dived at 4 out, not clear run before 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, struggling 4 out, never any chance
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 13th, close up when mistake 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last
held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 9th, headway 11th, ridden after next, struggling 14th, soon well beaten, mistake last
chased leaders on inside, ridden after 14th, lost place 4 out
Red Giant was first past the post at Perth last month only for the race to be voided. However, he quickly made amends at Kelso and is heading in the right direction. ABBOTSWOOD, however, is less exposed and Charlie Longsdon’s charge, a winner over hurdles at Warwick in April and successful between the flags last year, could be one to follow over fences. Cuirassier Dempire hasn’t done much wrong over the larger obstacles so far, getting of the mark at Worcester in August, and there should also be more to come from Uttoxeter runner-up Compadre. Vinnie Lewis should also make a chaser in time given his background.
Compadre (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 4th, led 6th, hit 3 out, headed before last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Optimistic Bias (12-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Cuirassier Dempire (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Always handy, led 3 out, edged right before last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Washed Ashore (12-6) by 8l, 7 ran.
Abbotswood (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Apr beating Speedalong (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway on outside 5th, driven 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 2nd and stayed on flat, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Wicked Willy (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Kayla 20-1 (10-5) Not always fluent in last pair, behind 12th, tailed off 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went never dangerous 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Debdebdeb (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) gd in Sep.
Anteros (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up, blundered 7th, closed and went 3rd 4 out, outpaced after last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Flying Eagle (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Aug.
Red Giant (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Towards rear, mid-division from halfway, went 3rd from 12th, ridden before 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Leanna Ban (11-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Kilronan Castle 9-2 (11-11) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, reminder before 9th, soon outpaced and lost 2nd place, plugged on to regain 2nd after last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Nomoreblackjack (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
