jumped left, led until headed approaching 8th, led again 12th, not fluent and went left 4 out, pressed before 2 out, went left and looked in command 2 out, idled badly before last, joined flat, pulled out extra final 75 yards
soon chased leading pair, not fluent 6th, dropped to rear next, no chance from 10th, went poor 3rd last, tailed off
soon held up last, went 3rd 7th, no chance with leading duo from 10th, lost poor 3rd last, tailed off
soon pressed winner, led approaching 8th, headed 12th, stayed challenging until ridden and hit 2 out, stayed on to challenge and pecked last, challenged again as winner idled badly flat, held final 75 yards
Nonrunner
JUST AMAZING concedes over a stone to all rivals taking into account the various rider allowances but gets the vote nevertheless. Paul Nicholls' gelding landed two hunter chases in five days to qualify for the Cheltenham Foxhunters but folded tamely after showing up well on the first circuit. Down in trip and back on his favoured good ground, he may have too much toe for his rivals. Oracle Des Mottes, a former Nicholls inmate, looks a potent threat on the evidence of an excellent effort behind Jayne's Crusader, whilst Seymar Lad showed he's no back number at Sandown last time but may find this trip on the short side, especially under prevailing conditions.
Just Amazing (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Zemsky (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th and 11th, steady headway approaching 9th, challenged when not fluent 3 out, led and mistake last, lost momentum and soon headed, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Jayne's Crusader (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf in Mar.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 20-1 (10-9) In rear, struggling 10th, some headway before 4 out, ridden and no impression before next, tailed off, 7th of 11, 40l behind Delgany Gunner (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Sovereign King 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, effort 4 out, soon under pressure, headway 2 out, kept on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 30l behind I Have Dreamed (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Led, dived at 3 out, soon joined, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, upsides and every chance last, battled on flat, held close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Mister Apple's (11-13) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd in Mar.
