raced on inside, left in lead 1st, narrowly headed 3rd, stayed chasing leader, blundered 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, strong challenge run in, always just held
led until blundered badly and unseated 1st
chased leaders until weakened and lost place before 4 out
raced wide and took keen hold, clear from 5th, headed 2 out, 6th and well beaten when blundered last
held up in rear, ridden and beaten 3 out
prominent until badly outpaced, tailed off after
held up in touch, ridden and no chance from 3 out
in touch, reminder 7th, chased leaders from 4 out, one pace and no impression from 2 out
raced wide throughout, held up in touch, pushed along after 9th, chased leaders after next, led 2 out, joined soon after last, stayed on gamely run in
took keen hold, held up in rear, brief effort after 9th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway under pressure before 2 out, soon one pace and no impression on leaders
Therealbandit is interesting making his return over hurdles but Martin Pipe's exciting young chaser does not appear to be particularly well treated and preference is for Mr Ed who is taken to reverse Chepstow running with Mistanoora. The last mentioned overcame the lack of a previous outing this season when landing the Silver Trophy last month and has claims off a 6lb higher mark with the longer trip unlikely to be a problem. However, The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding is less likely to have things all his own way today and preference is for Mr Ed. Peter Bowen's gelding has been a progressive performer on the flat and over hurdles during the last year and may not have stopped improving yet. The son of In The Wings was given a lot to do at Chepstow and is given another chance to show his adaptability today. Grey Report disappointed behind L'Aventure at Chepstow on his return and the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding is probably better than he showed there. Whether he can reverse form with the Nicholls horse remains to be seen despite the mare having been raised 15 lbs since then. The Dark Lord, who is on a hat trick, and the Nicky Richards-trained Paperprophet are others to consider but for the vote we side with Mr Ed.
