tracked leaders, mistake 10th, not fluent next, went 2nd 12th, about 1 length down when left in lead 4 out, shaken up 2 out, not fluent last, driven out
chased leader until not fluent 12th, left 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, awkward landing last, no impression final 100 yards
led, clear until after 3rd, reached for 10th, about 1 length up when ran out 4 out
Nonrunner
This quartet look closely matched but Un Ace is up in class after victories at Huntingdon and Doncaster while Little Jon was last of three finishers in a Grade 2 here last month, though wasn't far behind the subsequent first and second in last week's Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown. CHAMPAGNE WEST gets the nod as he beat a good yardstick in stablemate Colour Squadron here last month and can only improve. Virak was possibly flattered by the margin of his victory at Haydock last time but is another smart prospect and won't go down without a fight.
Champagne West (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway into 2nd 2 out (usual 4 out), led after last (usual 3 out), ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft in Nov beating Colour Squadron (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Un Ace (FR) 8-15fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, pushed well clear from next, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs in Nov beating Minella Forfitness (11-1) by 29l, 4 ran.
Little Jon 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st, led after 4th, hit next and headed, led again 4 out, hit last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Dunraven Storm (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Virak (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Led to 4th, tracked leader, left in lead 4 out, stayed on well before last, won at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Nov beating Golden Hoof (11-7) by 19l, 5 ran.
