chased leaders, led 8th to 10th, chased winner until approaching 2 out, weakened and hit last
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 9th, rallied under pressure approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened next
in touch, weakened 4 out
jumped well, led to 2nd, with leader, led 10th, came clear from 2 out easily
in touch, headway to chase leading pair after 11th, challenged 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chace with winner
tracked leader, led 2nd, mistake next, narrowly headed 8th, remained handy, driven after 3 out, went modest 3rd and blundered last
blundered badly 1st, not fluent and jumped left after, always in rear, tailed off
Nonrunner
A small field but a competitive race nonetheless to close proceedings at Leicester and a step down in class can help ROUSSEA return to winning ways ahead of Magnetic Pole and Constantius. Michael Scudamore's veteran won a handicap chase three starts ago, a victory that saw his mark upped to 90 and whilst that looks slightly harsh if the gelding can run close to it here he may take some beating. That victory at Wincanton came in similar conditions to todays over this trip and with everything in place for a big run the mount of Tom Scudamore may be able to win again at the ripe old age of 11. Magnetic Pole is the joint-top rated horse along with our selection and must be respected having taken second in a point to point last time, having previously unseated in a hunter chase. Again it is questionable whether this relatively lightly-raced eight-year-old is up to winning off his official mark but nevertheless as a winner of one of his seven chase starts Richard Johnson's mount must be taken seriously. Constantius arrives here in good form having taken second last time. That performance was over 3m2f though and today's shorter trip isn't certain to suit this son of Halling so he is narrowly past over this time. Wherrimon comes out next best on the figures and although this gelding is winless over obstacles he does remain unexposed as a five-year-old having only his tenth start today. With Christian Williams an eye-catching booking it is possible the horse will come on again and take a hand in proceedings here despite looking to have a bit of work on at the weights. Of the remainder Sea Robber has to put a below-par effort behind him whilst Sir Bumble continues to run with credit but our idea of the winner is Roussea.
Constantius 8-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 12th, challenged 4 out, not run on flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind The Walnut Tree (9-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (4) gd.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 11-1 (10-7) Chased leader until 8th, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 7, 14l behind Satindra (11-6) at Fakenham 2m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gd.
Lerida 18-1 (10-3) In touch, hit 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last, 6th of 11, 7l behind Duke of Malfi (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Magnetic Pole 9-4 (12-3) Ap; led 14-15; sn outpcd, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Tuesday's Child (12-3) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gf in May.
Roussea (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 9th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) In touch, led 9th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 17, 29l behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
Wherrimon 8-1 (11-4) In rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Take It There (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) sft.
Sea Robber (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off 10th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Flashy Conquest (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 9 ran.
