in touch on outside, pressed winner from 3rd, outpaced when switched inside after 3 out, one pace in clear 2nd approaching next, no chance with winner before last
made virtually all, drew readily clear from 2 out, comfortably
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 5 out, plugged on same pace, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, reminder after 14th, outpaced 5 out, mistake next, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 7th, struggling and reminder 16th, went moderate 3rd when mistake 4 out, plugged on same pace, no chance with front pair
Nonrunner
OUR FATHER's easy defeat of the more experienced Sire Collonges and White Star Line over C&D on his chasing debut was a real eye-opener. What A Warrior was a well-beaten fourth and looks held and David Pipe's grey could be a star in the making - he can concede weight to some decent novices here. Emma Lavelle saddles both Highland Lodge and Court In Motion with Barry Geraghty switching from the latter, a fair second to Dynaste here last time, to the former, who kept on well behind Harry Topper at Newbury last time considering he was prominent from the outset. This might be too much too soon for Michael Hourigan's Punchestown third Best Served Cold and Simply Ben faces a stiff task on his chasing bow.
Our Father (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Raced wide, held up last, steady headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, led narrowly next, came readily clear from next, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov beating Sire Collonges (11-7) by 20l, 7 ran.
Highland Lodge (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Led until 6th, led again 11th, headed approaching 5 out, rallied 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Harry Topper (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
What A Warrior (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Chased leader until hit 3rd and lost place, went 2nd again approaching 6th until 12th, chased leaders, pushed along in 4th 4 out, went modest 3rd before next, no extra in 4th run-in, 4th of 7, 35l behind Our Father (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Best Served Cold 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake in 4th and pushed along 5 out, ridden in 5th before 3 out, left 4th 3 out, no impression, moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 12l behind El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Simply Ben (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, reminders after next, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Arkose (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Court In Motion (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, lost 2nd 5th, left 2nd 4 out, stayed on, no impression on unextended winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Dynaste (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
