tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching next, weakened soon after
jumped left at several fences, led, hit 6th and 11th, joined and strongly pressed 2 out, driven and kept on, headed approaching last, not quicken flat
tracked leaders going well, challenged and hit 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven clear flat
mistakes, in touch, jumped left and reminders 3rd, 4th and next, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 3 out
awkward 1st, in touch, hit 8th, ridden and outpaced 11th, headway approaching 4 out, blundered and one pace after next
took keen hold, chased leader to 12th, steadily weakened
took keen hold, always in rear, blundered and struggling 10th, tailed off
Ofarel D'airy gets the confident vote in the opener with Fundamentalist and Celtic Son rating the main dangers. The selection was disappointing last time out but prior to that he had been a fair second behind Glasker Mill, the drop in trip looks sure to suit and with his yard continuing in good form he looks the one to be on. Fundamentalist rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Glasker Mill but he was behind the selection last time out and he will need to improve in the jumping department if he is to score. Celtic Son would have chances on his best form but he showed little last season so can not be put forward with much confidence. However he could improve for first time blinkers and a tongue tie and he should be watched in the market. Of thew remainder Justpourit is from a shrewd Irish yard and is another to note in the market but for the winner we return to Ofarel D'airy.
Celtic Son (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Soon towards rear, pulled up before 22nd (Becher's) in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Led, headed last, rallied to regain lead flat, kept on well, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Herecomestanley (10-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, closed 12th, led just after 4 out, narrow advantage when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 4th of 6, 17l behind Glasker Mill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m Grad Ch (2) gd in Nov.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 17th, beaten when hampered 3 out, 11th of 16, 42l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
Justpourit (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd from 3 out, ridden to close and went 2nd run-in, soon no impression and dropped to 3rd again near line, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Afistfullofdollars (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f chs sft.
Soulard (USA) 4-1 (10-13) Made all, soon clear, mistake 2 out, ridden and held on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating Jimboreal (10-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Dalriath 5-1 (9-13) Led, soon clear until ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 6l behind Ormello (11-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Blue Canyon (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, behind when blundered and pulled up 4 out in race won by Kruguyrova (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft, 8 ran.
