tracked leader, pushed along 6th, soon lost place, under pressure 10th, stayed on after 2 out, never a threat
tracked leaders, led on bit approaching 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well
led, driven 3 out, headed before next, rallied after last, kept on well closing stages
held up in touch, went 2nd after 5th, mistake 5 out, soon driven, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly throughout, mistake 3rd, ridden halfway, soon struggling, stayed on after 2 out, never able to challenge
Buachaill Alainn opened his account over fences at Worcester in June but soft ground is a worry on his return to action. Swatow Typhoon will be at home on today's surface but he's making his chasing debut having landed a double over timber early in the year. It could pay to stick with MENDIP EXPRESS after the multiple point-to-point winner scored over fences at Wetherby on his chasing debut as there should be plenty more to come from Harry Fry's charge. Bob Ford has a shout on his second at Ffos Las last month but Chestertern is harder to fancy.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway to tracked leaders before 9th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden before next, challenged and a close 2nd when left in lead last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun beating Brassick (10-12) by 4l, 11 ran.
Mendip Express (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Held up on inside, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, led next, jumped left 2 out and when clear last, eased towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs beating Bracken House (11-10) by 12l, 6 ran.
Bob Ford (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent 14th, hit 4 out, soon headed, outpaced when not fluent and went left next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 28l behind Le Bec (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd.
Chestertern 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place from 8 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Pendra (11-2) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Swatow Typhoon (IRE) 8-11fav (11-10) Made all, hard pressed from 3 out, held on under pressure, all out, won at Ayr 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Kris Cross (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.