held up, outpaced 11th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 13th
with leader, led 5th, hard pressed from 3 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on
held up, outpaced 11th, lost touch 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
not fluent and behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
held up, headway 13th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, ridden and stayed on to lead flat,
led to 5th, tracked leader, hit 10th, lost 2nd when mistake 4 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, outpaced when hit 12th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
Ben Britten could be one to follow this winter and is taken to make the most of the weight that he receives from Dead Mans Dante. Ben Britten was in good form in the summer, winning two of his three starts over hurdles, and was rested after gaining the last of those successes at Perth in July. The ground was fast during that spell, but Nicky Richards has no qualms about running him here as the seven-year-old bids to make a successful start to his chase career off what could be a lenient mark. He gets nearly a stone from Dead Mans Dante who will be a force to be reckoned with over this sort of trip judged on last season's form, although he could do with some help from the handicapper. Strong Resolve and The Merry Mason have both paid the penalty for earlier successful campaigns, and a bigger threat today may emerge in the shape of Twelve Paces who is only five but looks a ready-made chaser in the making. Big things are expected of Ben Britten though, and should not be missed here.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Held up, headway 10th, hampered 3 out, went 2nd going well soon after, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind General Grey (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent to 9th, outpaced 16th, 5th of 15, 23l behind Rosie Redman (11-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Campaign Trail (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and outpaced 7th, stayed on from 2 out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 9, 5l behind Astyanax (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
The Merry Mason (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Soon driven along in rear, well behind 8th, no danger, 8th of 11, 31l behind Little Task (11-7) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Twelve Paces 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden from 5th, some headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 42l behind Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Why The Big Paws 33-1 (10-13) Led, challenged when fell 2 out in race won by Sungates (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul, 13 ran.
No Picnic (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) With winner, challenged 14th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Catch The Perk (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept.
Ben Britten 4-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well from last, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Jul '05 beating Olympic Storm (11-6) by 3l, 16 ran.
