tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, chased leader approaching 8th, stayed on to lead run-in
in touch, ridden and lost place from 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader until 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
not fluent throughout, held up, ridden and headway 9th, weakened after 3 out
held up, weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off
led, clear when hit 2 out, no extra when headed run in
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 6th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nenuphar Collonges is selected to give weight and a beating to Jam Packed, with Moorlaw and Brave Villa seen as potential dangers. Nenuphar Collonges was successful on his final start in France back in June, with blinkers applied to aid his confidence after an earlier fall. Alan King does well with his French imports, and although this fellow has to carry 11st 12lb, his recent work suggests that he is sharp enough to go close despite a break. Time will tell whether he is harshly treated, but he does not have a great deal to beat, and with conditions to suit, can prove too good for Jam Packed. The latter was given a confident ride by Dominic Elsworth at Towcester, cruising through on the bridle to open his account over fences, but he did not beat much, and we shall take him on, progressive as he is. Matt Sheppard has been in fine form this term, and will no doubt place Brave Villa to good effect. The Irish import shaped well to be third at Worcester on his British debut, and will come on for that first outing since May. Moorlaw was only selling class over hurdles and despite boasting a bit of experience over the bigger obstacles, probably has it to do, and we much prefer to follow the fortunes of Nenuphar Collonges.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) (10-12) won at Dieppe 2m 1f chs gd in Jun beating Nestrien De La Foret (11-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
Wenlocks Wonder 11-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway after 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Briscoe Place (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Moorlaw (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 8th, jumped right 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Jefertiti (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Copper Bay (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Tracked winner from 2nd, challenged from 8th until ridden 3 out, 4th and well beaten when eased and pulled up 2 out in race won by Jarro (10-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Jam Packed (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake last, jumped right 6th, headway 3 out, ridden to lead flat, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct beating Stroom Bank (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Amalfi Storm 9-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 12, 17l behind Tin Healy's Pass (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Brave Villa (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed 7th, every chance 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Taksina (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs in Oct.
Castle Frome (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Keen, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 14l behind Master Papa (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Behind, reminders, lost touch after 5th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Welsh Dream (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept, 14 ran.
