raced wide, tracked leader until 4th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 7th, not fluent 4 out, closed 3 out, led on bit 2 out, clear before last, ridden out
led until 5th, chased leader until 7th, chased leading pair, blundered next, lost place and in last pair 10th, no chance after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last trio in touch, in rear when blundered 10th, headway, driven in 5th after 3 out, hit 2 out, plugged on flat
raced wide tracking leading trio, mistake 2nd, 3rd at 11th, pushed along before 2 out, driven into 2nd between last two, no chance with winner when mistake last
held up in last trio in touch, headway into 3rd 10th until next, chased leading trio, pushed along and outpaced well before 2 out, hanging right when driven between last two, stayed on into 3rd final 100 yards
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, led next, clear approaching 11th until 4 out, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading trio, weakened into 4th final 100 yards
Al Ferof will find this infinitely tougher than when landing last year's renewal in a mere two-horse stroll. Ruby Walsh reunites with Paul Nicholls which is good to see but the topweight may just need this first run if trainer comments are to be believed. Stable companion Bury Parade is interestingly dropped significantly in trip and still has more progress to deliver over fences, whilst Fox Appeal is coming along nicely but needs to step up again and Somersby was way below par on his reappearance. Wishfull Thinking defied advancing years to score in scorching fashion in the Old Roan Chase and is clearly the one to beat if reproducing that level. He's greatly respected for the Hobbs team but RAJDHANI EXPRESS (NAP) is just preferred. He was an improved performer last term and the best of his form puts him in here with a chance. Further progress is expected as he's only seven and he should offer some value against admittedly talented opposition.
Al Ferof (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hampered 1st, lost place 13th, stayed on from 2 out, unable to get back on terms, 5th of 11, 8l behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Bury Parade (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 10th, 14th or 17th, headway 18th, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 19 ran.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leader until not fluent 10th, switched left and led 3 out, 3 lengths clear when mistake next, soon ridden, edged left then headed last, strong challenge flat, joined leader close home, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) sft deadheating with Theatre Guide (11-9), 4 ran.
Somersby (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th and one pace 4 out, beaten when bad mistake 3 out, weakened, 6th of 7, 47l behind God's Own (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Wishfull Thinking 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Edgardo Sol (10-10) by 12l, 12 ran.
Rajdhani Express 5-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, awkward and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
