Expert Analysis

The early pace was very quick which resulted in Montregard being around nine seconds clear of The Jukebox Kid (winner of the grade two chase over the same trip an hour earlier) when comparing the pair from their respective first fences to the winning post with a circuit to go. Montregard was then around half a dozen lengths quicker again over the final circuit compared with the Ben Pauling novice chaser. Montregard was also slightly quicker than Jonbon (winner of the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase in the following race) from their first fence in the final circuit to the winning post.

In addition, he was around two seconds quicker than Jonbon from the second last fence to the winning post. Montregard’s time comparisons with both The Jukebox Kid and Jonbon add substance to the quality of this form.

MONTREGARD Aside from an error at the second fence and a couple of slightly less than fluent leaps at the fourth and third last, he jumped and travelled like the best horse throughout. I suspect he enjoyed a near perfect trip round tracking three front runners who all rather cut each other’s throats leaving him to come through late and win with plenty in hand.

GERICAULT ROQUE This was his fifth second place finish in his ten chases to date. He is yet to get off the mark over the larger obstacles and does not look the most obvious of horses to follow this excellent effort by going one better next time. On the plus side, he was beaten by a well handicapped winner, and he was also running from out of the handicap. Two reasons, therefore, to mark his performance up.

YOUR DARLING His jockey rode him like a horse with plenty to prove over this three mile trip. His tactics were justified I feel, as despite not being placed to challenge until the latter stages, he still appeared to run out of steam from the last to the line. Maybe he just about lasted home in a slow run chase over this trip at Kempton last time out. In contrast, the early pace was a furious one here and, although that may have played a part in him settling so well, it also resulted in this being a much tougher stamina test compared with the Kempton race.

JIPCOT He can be marked up as having done comfortably best of those to race at the front throughout. He can be a keen going sort and I would prefer his claims if enjoying an easier lead over a shorter trip.

HUNTER LEGEND Venetia Williams enjoyed her first two winners in a long while on this same day at Chepstow so some hope that we will see more from him in the near future. I doubt the drying ground was in his favour and I am not completely convinced he quite gets home when competing over three miles.

INVINCIBLE NAO The three main front runners set a searching gallop in the first half of the race and all paid a hefty price by dropping away to varying degrees in the final stages.

JOYEUX MACHIN This was a very busy lead and one that probably significantly reduced his claims. He further hampered his chances by continually edging out to his left at many of his fences.

THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE His connections were lamenting pre-race how he is badly handicapped and so will presumably be delighted to see the handicapper has dropped him to 142 despite being pulled up before the fourth last fence.