tracked leader, mistake 12th, led approaching 16th, driven along after 2 out, joined last, strongly pressed flat, battled on gamely to assert final 100 yards
raced keenly, led and soon clear, reduced lead and joined 15th, headed before next, weakened rapidly, tailed off 4 out, pulled ap after next
held up in last pair, headway to chase leaders before 15th, went 2nd next, lost 2nd 3 out, soon pushed along, stayed on same pace in 4th from 2 out
chased leaders on outside, disputing 2nd 3 out, definite 2nd before next, cajoled along to challenge and hung right approaching last, upsides last, every chance flat, refused to go past and outbattled final 100 yards
tracked leaders in 5th, headway to dispute 2nd 3 out until weakened 2 out
not jump well, chased leaders, mistakes 9th and next, not fluent and reminders 11th, soon lost place, dropped in rear and struggling 13th, mistake next, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden and plugging on in 5th when hung right before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out and continued to hang right, no impression on leading duo
Nonrunner
Hennessy winner Triolo D'alene tries to follow up here off an 11lb higher mark but could find the combination of softer ground and a big weight too much to handle and is no certainty to confirm Newbury running with sixth Houblon Des Obeaux, who won here on his reappearance. The handicapper has given a definite chance to WHAT A WARRIOR, who has the beating of Storm Survivor on Chepstow running in October. He just got outpaced over a shorter trip last time but can open his seasonal account off bottom weight in this. Cedre Bleu will strip fitter for his comeback run, though has yet to convince over this longer distance, but Battle Group seems to have rediscovered bad habits and likes faster going while Bless The Wings has a bit to find with Houblon Des Obeaux on the form book. Problema Tic is woefully out of sorts at present.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, stayed on under pressure flat, not reach leaders, 6th of 21, 19l behind Triolo D'Alene (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Battle Group 25-1 (11-4) Refused to race and took no part, in a race won by Celestial Halo (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway 12th, chased leaders next, went 2nd 16th until 4 out, chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 14l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Cantlow (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Storm Survivor (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Fell 1st, in a race won by Chance Du Roy (10-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) sft, 22 ran.
Problema Tic (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place slightly after 5th, reminders and struggling after 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 14th of 16, 39l behind Saphir Du Rheu (11-0) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs.
What A Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden along before 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on again flat, 7th of 18, 16l behind Tatenen (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Triolo D'Alene (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Held up rear of mid-division, tracked leaders and travelling well from 10th, led 3 out, strongly pressed when hit last, soon joined, stayed on strongly under pressure to assert final 150 yards, won at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov beating Rocky Creek (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 21 ran.
