in rear, headway before 9th, went 2nd from 2 out, every chance last, lost 2nd run-in, kept on to regain 2nd place close home
led, headed before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, fell 4th
tracked leaders, weakened 6 out, unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in until close home
mid-division and keen, headway 11th, went 2nd from 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well run-in
mid-division, weakened before 10th
towards rear, weakened and mistake 5 out
Stilletto won a point-to-point in Ireland and went for £130,000 at the sales before joining Paul Nicholls and landing a Chepstow bumper. He was very highly tried in his two runs over hurdles and chasing has always looked his objective. Both of his victories were gained on heavy ground so further rain would aid his cause but he'll be a short price and is taken on with AMORE ALATO. Johnny Farrelly's charge, a dual winning hurdler and placed at Listed and Grade 2 level, has the advantage of a run over fences at Huntingdon a month ago and that could just give him the edge. Chase The Wind has finished runner-up in his last three starts over fences, all on quick going, and his two victories over timber were also on ground much quicker than he'll face here. Minellaforleisure had some decent form over timber but was well beaten on his chasing debut and only got as far as the first on his latest start.
Amore Alato 17-2 (11-2) Led until 5th, slowed into 8th, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Sametegal (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gs in Nov.
Ballyvoque (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leader until stumbled badly 9th, not able to recover, well held from 2 out, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Mr Burgees (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Jul.
Chase The Wind (IRE) 8-13fav (11-2) Led sole rival until 6th, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, no impression when rider dropped whip before last, last of 2, 13l behind Dragon's Den (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gf in Oct.
Engrossing 5-1 (11-6) Towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Hampered and unseated rider 1st, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Only Orsenfoolsies 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 22, 14 1/2l behind Litigant (9-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Raktiman (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not always fluent, behind from 6th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Sky Khan (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Stilletto (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 10 1/4l behind Rock The Kasbah (11-9) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Under The Red Sky (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 12th, behind 14th, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 3m (4) sft in Oct.
Vayland 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up last, at Carlisle 2m (4) gd in Oct.
