tracked leaders on inside, 2nd before 12th, travelling well when led 2 out, shaken up and came clear when left further clear at the last
led and raced keenly, brushed 7th, hit next and 13th, headed when blundered 2 out, soon beaten, fell heavily last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 2nd until approaching 7th, dropped to rear 10th, pushed along 11th, soon outpaced, left poor 4th at the last
jumped left, chased leader until 2nd, 2nd again approaching 7th until before 12th, chased leading trio, weakened after 3 out, left poor 3rd last, kept on
held up last, went 4th at 10th, 3rd 4 out, ridden one pace and no impression before 2 out, left poor 2nd and slightly hampered last
Irish Saint was odds-on for a Grade 1 over 2m at Sandown two weeks ago but was never really travelling and got left behind on the turn for home. The extra yardage might help but he might be one to be wary of now. Grand Vision was well beaten at Uttoxeter having fallen on his chasing bow and also has questions to answer but the longer trip will definitely suit Thomas Crapper, who has taken well to fences, and he's preferred to Cheltenham third Drop Out Joe, who needs further and doesn't look good enough at this level. PUFFIN BILLY (NAP) was a bit novicey when third to Dunraven Storm and Far West at Exeter but much more fluent when making all over a slightly shorter trip here last month. He looks a high-class recruit and could be too slick for these if allowed his own way out in front.
Irish Saint (FR) 4-5fav (11-2) Tracked leader, mistake 7th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led after last, soon headed and slightly bumped, kept on under pressure close home, 3rd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Mostly jumped well, made all, not fluent 5th, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) sft in Nov beating Killala Quay (11-1) by 8l, 5 ran.
Drop Out Joe 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 11th brielfy, not fluent next, mistake 14th, soon outpaced, hampered next, well beaten from 4 out, went 3rd from last, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Kings Palace (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Grand Vision (IRE) 11-10fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 10th, led 13th, headed 3 out, no extra from next, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Top Totti (10-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) sft.
Thomas Crapper 15-8 (11-0) Led, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and headed flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Three Kingdoms (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (3) gs in Nov.
