held up in touch on outer, blundered 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 9th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up in touch and in rear, jumped right 12th, headway after 3 out, chased winner before last, stayed on well towards finish
with leader, led from 6th, ridden before 2 out, clear before last, held on well towards finish
led to 6th, not fluent next, every chance 3 out, weakened before last, just held on for 3rd close home
Western Warhorse had Dodging Bullets five lengths adrift when springing a surprise in the Arkle. He'd won earlier over a longer trip at Doncaster so the step up in distance won't be a problem for David Pipe's exciting novice. OSCAR WHISKY must have a great chance if his jumping doesn't let him down again however. He fell at the first in a race at Cheltenham in which Uxizandre eventually finished a gallant second to Taquin De Seuil but is normally a safe conveyance who had the class to win an Aintree Hurdle here two years ago and his yard has won this twice in the last four years. Fox Appeal is a smart novice but may just come up short in this company.
Dodging Bullets 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway on inside 3 out, driven before next, ridden last, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 9, 5l behind Western Warhorse (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leader, hit 6th, challenged 11th, led 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner and every chance until the last, stayed on same pace flat, just held on for 2nd, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Balder Succes (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) In touch when fell 1st, in a race won by Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Uxizandre (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Led 1st, driven clear after 3 out to next, soon hard pressed, ridden last, kept on under pressure until headed narrowly and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Western Warhorse (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd remained in touch, outpaced in 5th before 3 out, rallied after next, ridden and stayed on to challenge flat, led post, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Champagne Fever (11-4) by hd, 9 ran.
