held up, pushed along 10th, weakened next
in touch, chased winner after 3 out until blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last
led to 10th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden and hung left after 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led 10th, clear last, ridden out
chased leaders, hit 3rd, ridden after 10th, went 2nd 2 out, one pace
Va Vavoom would look to have solid claims on the evidence of his latest success at Celtenham but with Martin Pipe's stable in such poor form that defeat of Mark Equal may not amount to a great deal and preference is for Von Origny who gets the vote ahead of Simon. The last mentioned is entitled to come on for his return at Uttoxeter last month and would have claims on the pick of his hurdling form in Ireland, including on a soft surface. Terivic escapes a penalty for his recent Towcester defeat of Mon Mome, a winner since, but needs to improve on that evidence. Nadover has shown promise in two starts over fences and hails from a yard in form so has to be considered along with Va Vavoom but, as we have said, there are doubts concerning the merits of the form of the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding and a better bet may prove to be Von Origny. Henry Daly's horses have tended to improve with racing this term and it would come as no surprise to see the four-year-old put a disappointing display at Exeter earlier this month behind him today.
Bannister Lane 33-1 (10-13) With leader, led 6th, mistake next, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 10, well behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Simon 17-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 4th, mistake 6th, headed 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, well behind Mount Clerigo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Terivic 12-1 (11-0) Made all, hit 8th, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m nov chs (D) sft in Nov beating Mon Mome (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, ridden 3 out, stayed on between last 2, led and mistake last, ridden clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gs beating Mark Equal (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nadover (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Towards rear, closer order 9th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Taranis (10-9) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) gd in Nov.
Von Origny (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, jumped left 11th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind The Listener (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (B) sft.
