chased leaders, blundered 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 6th, tracked leaders 5 out, led before 2 out, not fluent last, soon hard ridden, headed and no extra closing stages
prominent, led 5th, not fluent 5 out, soon headed, rallied and every chance after next, stayed on under pressure to lead again towards finish
held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, kept on well
led until 5th, led again after 5 out, headed before 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, lost place approaching and slow 4th, rallied 3 out, kept on same pace
Withdrawn
Nuts Well won this last year but has to shoulder another 11lb this time and is facing much stronger opposition. Chesterfield is an interesting runner as he only found a potentially-smart novice too good on his chasing bow while One For Billy had every chance when running out on the run-in last time at Cheltenham. DOLOS (NAP) has the highest official rating and did his best to peg back Beggar’s Wishes on his reappearance at Newton Abbot after the winner had poached a decisive advantage. The first two pulled well clear of some useful chasers and Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old can go one better here. Highway One O One is likely to prove the pick of the remainder.
Nuts Well 10-3 (10-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway and close up on outer 3 out, 2nd and poised to challenge after next, upsides when mistake last, ridden to lead flat, kept on towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Vosne Romanee (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dolos (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, driven into 2nd before 2 out, ridden and 2 lengths down last, kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Beggar's Wishes (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (2) hvy in Oct.
Highway One O One (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, rallied last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Dynamite Dollars (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Oct.
Chesterfield (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Tracked winner, not fluent 2nd, challenged next, led 6th, headed before 8th, mistake 3 out, soon shaken up, held flat, 2nd of 3, 2 1/2l behind Claimantakinforgan (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Mister Kit 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 3 out, driven and hard pressed after next, ridden after last, kept on until headed and no extra inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Luckofthedraw (11-1) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Treshnish (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened 4 out, last of 5, 19 1/4l behind Delire D'Estruval (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (3) gd in Oct.
One For Billy 7-2 (11-10) Held up, went 3rd 8th, closed after 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, trying to challenge when ran out flat (went through tape dolling off run-in to rest of course), at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
