The last two winners of this were Mount Ida and Elimay, so Concertista has some big shoes to fill, but she started well for all that this was a narrow success, the form very likely to prove useful. The overall time was similar to the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase which followed, but this was run far more efficiently than that race, a 101% finishing speed (from 4 out) close to par.
CONCERTISTA (c143 here, h153 previously) promises to be as good over fences as she was over hurdles, in which sphere she was a Cheltenham Festival winner and twice second there, though she will need to brush up her jumping. She chased the leaders, a bit scruffy at a few, went second after 4 out, challenged at the second-last and got on top on the run-in. She should be at least as good returned to 20f.
JEREMYS FLAME (c142 here, c142? previously) returned to the form she showed when third to Mount Ida in this race 12 months earlier, racing in mid-field and not fluent at a couple, with every chance 3 out, not quite as quick as the winner between the last 2 but staying on well. She should have no difficulty in winning a chase or 2.
MAGIC DAZE (c140 here and previously) had made a big impression here the time before but this was tougher and she was probably beaten on merit, leader by a few lengths for much of the way but challenged from 2 out and unable to hold on.
SAYCE GOLD (c131 here, 102+ previously) is working her way up to the level she showed as a hurdler (rated h137), headway having been ridden with restraint but unable to go with the principals and tending to jump right late on. Expect to see her back over further in due course.
DOLCITA (c125 here, h136 previously) showed some promise on what was her chasing debut, having been trained in Britain last winter, some headway from mid-field until outpaced late on.
THAT’S LIFEBUOY (c0 here, 109 previously)
KITTY GALORE (c0 here, 130 previously) showed up in second for a long way before capitulating.
CARRIGEEN LOTUS (c0 here, h112 previously)
ROBINNIA (c? here, 123 previously)
