chased leaders, hit 12th, soon ridden, hit 3 out, weakening when pulled up before 2 out
made all, asserted approaching 4 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 13th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on flat
held up in rear, blundered 7th, not fluent 9th (water), soon driven and struggling, well behind when pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, blundered 11th, weakened after 3 out, blundered 2 out
mid-division, hit 6th, headway after 11th, blundered 4 out, hit 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, behind after
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th (water), reminder after 10th, weakened after next, well behind when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, ridden after 11th, soon struggling, tailed off
prominent early, in touch, outpaced when blundered 4 out, no impression on leaders after, blundered 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, not troubled leaders
held up, behind 10th, blundered 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last
mid-division, blundered 6th, headway approaching 8th, blundered badly 11th, lost place, blundered again 12th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
behind, jumped big 1st, hit 3rd, soon lost ground on remainder, behind when pulled up before 6th
pressed winner until 13th, remained in 2nd, hit 4 out and 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
As always a competitive renewal with Abragante, Il Duce, Palarshan and New Little Bric all worth noting but the vote goes to the last named. Little New Bric has been the subject of a gamble all week after the Paul Nicholls trained individual failed to score when sent off favourite for his seasonal reappearance at Ascot behind Howle Hill. Having said that his trainer indicated that this was his target and that he was in need of his first outing. If all the hype is to be true and if back to his last seasons best then he has to be a horse to stay on the right side of. Abragante was impressive on his reappearance at Wincanton but failed to get into the Paddy Power Chase where he was backed anti post. He was not good enough to land the Hennesey which was always going to stretch his stamina and will better suited by this trip. Il Duce was second to L'Antartique at a big price in the Paddy Power and once again has every chance of running a big race once more off a five pound higher mark. While Palarshan was fourth in the same race and is entitled to come on for that run as he was coming back from a break. A tricky race to call but we will side with the talking horse and give Little New Brick the nod for an in form yard.
Knowhere (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, dived at 13th, stayed on one pace from 4 out, 5th of 18, 23l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead after 3 out, driven clear flat, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jun beating Kock De La Vesvre (10-2) by 5l, 16 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, headed flat, held near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Il Duce (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on gamely, held near finish, 2nd of 20, nk behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Yes Sir (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led, clear 7th, headed 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out, mistake next, tailed off, last of 8, 30l behind Howle Hill (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Le Volfoni (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led after 4th, headed 4 out and weakened, 5th of 14, 12l behind Don't Push It (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
New Alco (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Towards rear, hampered 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 18 ran.
New Little Bric (FR) 13-8fav (11-1) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 8, 3l behind Howle Hill (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Roman Ark 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 8th, led narrowly 4 out, left clear, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Some Touch (10-10) by 3l, 13 ran.
Idole First (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until 7th, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Magic Sky (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, in touch, hit 8th, headway went 2nd and not fluent 3 out until soon after 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Black Hills 8-1 (11-5) In touch, blundered 8th, headway 4 out, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating John Diamond (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Palarshan (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, badly hampered 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 20, 3l behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Copsale Lad 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hampered 7th, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 20, 26l behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Abragante (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 10th, hit 16th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 37l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 66-1 (9-11) Prominent, hit 2nd and 3rd, led approaching 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, rallied gamely, no extra from last, 5th of 20, 6l behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Knight Legend (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd after 5 out, led 3 out, headed 2 out, moderate 2nd when mistake last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Mossbank (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 gd in Nov.
