led, headed 16th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered 15th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, mistake and unseated rider 15th
tracked leaders, led 16th, joined 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra
mid-division, lost place 14th (water), soon behind and pulled up
always behind, struggling 16th, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, hampered 15th, smooth headway next, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd next, upsides when not fluent 2 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra in 3rd flat
mid-division, mistake 12th, blundered 15th, weakened from 3 out
always prominent, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, switched inside next, rallied approaching last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on gamely
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced in 4th next, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
in rear, lost touch 13th, tailed off
Mickey Legg steered HANDY ANDY to victory in this 12 months ago, beating Charingworth by two-and-a-half lengths. Colin Tizzard's charge has 6lb more to carry this year but looks to have been primed for a repeat after solid placed efforts at Wincanton and Chepstow where he had Benbens behind. Ballyoliver carries a penalty for his comeback win at Carlisle but smart hunter chaser Oscar Time won twice under Rules after finishing fourth in the Grand National and isn't done with yet. Fruity O'Rooney gets little respite from the handicapper while this trip stretches The Nephew and there are stronger stayers in opposition today. Broadway Buffalo steps out of novice company and will need to brush up his jumping around here, though the booking of Jamie Codd is a positive.
Fruity O'Rooney 11-2 (11-12) Jumped left at times led, headed narrowly 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Wiesentraum (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
The Nephew (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Towards rear, headway 5 out, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on and well held by winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Morito Du Berlais (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Oscar Time (IRE) 1-2fav (12-4) Held up in rear, headway 8th, chased leaders next, led 5 out, challenged next, ran on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in May beating Locked Inthepocket (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Benbens (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, mid-division when bad mistake 9th, headway 5 out, hit 4 out, jumped right 2 out, one pace and no impression when mistake last, 4th of 15, 9l behind Victors Serenade (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Ballyoliver 14-1 (11-8) In touch, outpaced 12th, ridden and headway 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Global Power (11-7) by 7l, 11 ran.
Butney Rock 6-1 (11-12) In rear, closer in 4th 4 out, not fluent 3 out, 5th 2 out, no extra from last, eased inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 33l behind Loosen My Load (11-0) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Sep.
Broadway Buffalo (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 23l behind Knock House (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Handy Andy (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 13th, close 3rd when not fluent 3 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Victors Serenade (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Charingworth (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led after next, headed last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind The Young Master (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Mister Grez (FR) 3-1fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, challenged on inside 2 out, driven and 3 lengths down in clear 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Carrigmorna King (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Soon mid-division, 10th after 3rd, slight mistake 8th, no extra and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Vics Canvas (10-4) at Cork 3m 4f hcap ch sft, 17 ran.
