tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, held when not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace
close up in rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
slipped up on bend soon after start
tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed next, ridden and every chance 2 out, edged left and led flat, ridden and ran on
led, headed 4th, pressed leader, led again 4 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed and no extra flat
tracked leader, led 4th, pushed along and headed 5 out, soon in rear
A 10lb rise for winning at Hexham proved beyond Tokaramore at the same track last time while Mance Rayder was pulled up on his chasing bow having won over timber back in February. Castletown also won over hurdles at Ayr when last in action and has gone close over fences in the past but this is tougher than the chase Buyer Beware won over 2m here earlier this month. CHATEAU ROBIN is upped 7lb after bringing an end to a frustrating run of placed efforts with a victory at Ayr last month. That was only his second outing for Nicky Richards’ yard and another bold bid is expected now he’s got his head in front.
Chateau Robin (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Close up, headway to track leader going better 4 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Big Nasty (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tokaramore 6-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 2nd, in touch, lost place 11th, went remote 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 26l behind Weakfield (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th place, dropped to last at 9th, tailed off when mistake 15th, blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 3m (4) gs in Nov.
Court Master (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Newbury 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Castletown (FR) 6-1 (10-3) Led to after 3rd, with leader, led again bypassing omitted 4 out, not fluent 2 out, driven and hard pressed last, kept on well flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Potterman (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 6th, pushed along to lead 4 out, blundered next, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Istimraar (10-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
