took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost place 2 out (usual 3 out), weakening when fell last (usual 2 out)
mid-division when brought down soon after start
behind, driven before last (usual 2 out), never near leaders
mid-division, tracked leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before omitted last, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression
towards rear, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), hampered last (usual 2 out), never dangerous
in touch, lost place after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
tracked leader, led when hit 3 out (usual 4 out), headed after last (usual 2 out), weakened flat
led, headed 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
chased leaders to before last (usual 2 out), weakened flat
mid-division, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), led approaching omitted last, ridden out, stayed on well
in touch, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), behind when hampered and unseated rider last (usual 2 out)
mid-division, weakened 2 out (usual 3 out)
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before omitted last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, led after last (usual 2 out), headed approaching omitted last, no extra in 3rd flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching omitted last, kept on same pace, no impression
in rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), chased leaders when fell last (usual 2 out)
in touch when fell soon after start
towards rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), soon tracked leaders, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division on outside, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), soon behind
mid-division on inside, hit 1st, (usual 3rd), weakened 2 out (usual 3 out)
John Ferguson won this last year and Galizzi, who won by a distance on his third start over timber at Perth in July, should make a bold bid to follow suit. Mon Successeur, twice successful in minor company over fences in France, reverts to hurdles after a fair debut over the bigger obstacles for Paul Nicholls at Wetherby and can only improve. Dan Skelton has a strong hand with Benissimo and Market Rasen winner Adrakhan with preference for the latter, while Ink Master is certain to attract attention after an impressive victory at Worcester. In a very tough race to get a handle upon, DOLLAR AND A DREAM is handed the vote under Ruby Walsh as he didn't appear to get the run of the race at Listowel last time after impressing at Galway and he has more to offer.
Baraka De Thaix (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Not fluent most of way, held up, always behind, no danger when mistake 2 out, 14th of 16, dist behind Peace And Co (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Midnight Shot 7-2fav (11-6) Led, mistake 4th, headed when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, never recovered, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Maputo (11-6) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Mon Successeur (FR) 4-5fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led 5th, headed 7th, led again before 9th, ridden and headed flat, held after, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Katachenko (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Galizzi (USA) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, drew readily clear before 2 out, pushed out, very easily, won at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Chaz Michaels (11-0) by 22l, 10 ran.
Mountain Fighter 9-2fav (11-10) Prominent, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 5th of 8, 14l behind Regulation (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Argot 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Serenity Now (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Ink Master (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Pressed leader, led 2nd, mistake last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating What A Laugh (11-9) by 11l, 6 ran.
Are They Your Own (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Led, ridden before last, headed flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Old Guard (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Briery Belle 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, never on terms, well held when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 3 out, went left and stumbled 2 out, headed between last 2, 3rd and held when pecked last, weakened flat, 4th of 22, 9l behind Josses Hill (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Brigadier Miller 12-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, chased leader, led 5th until headed briely before 3 out, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Cooper (10-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Benissimo (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed when not fluent last, soon no extra, faded into 4th flat, 4th of 6, 9 1/2l behind Mercers Court (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Adrakhan (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, ridden out flat, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Film Director (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Double W's (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Imada (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Mystifiable 7-2fav (11-0) Raced wide and keen, chased leaders, led 5th, clear approaching 7th, hit last, edged left run-in, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Fred Le Macon (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
King Muro 10-3fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Cool Macavity (11-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Trendsetter (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Hardstone (10-0) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Dollar And A Dream (IRE) 6-4fav (9-10) Towards rear, 7th halfway, closer after 4 out, 6th on outer entering straight and pecked 2 out, ridden and no impression last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Misty Lady (10-6) at Listowel 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Kings Cross (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 34 3/4l behind Masterplan (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Eco Warrior 4-1fav (11-12) Led to 1st, led again 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Woodstock (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
