towards rear, mistake 18th, headway 4 out, ridden and stayed on one pace
in touch, headway 16th, close up, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, outpaced 21st, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, bad mistake 16th, soon pulled up
mid-division, pushed along 10th, headway 4 out, ridden sand weakened approaching last
keen to post, keen held up in rear, mistake 9th, headway 6 out, every chance from next, led 2 out, ridden and ran on
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on one pace
in touch, headway 6 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
in touch, outpaced 6 out, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on one pace
led, headed 3rd, led again 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, led 3rd, headed 6th, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, tailed off
prominent until 4 out, ridden and weakened next
Francky Du Berlais has run well on a couple of occasions over these unique obstacles but was behind Latenightpass and Didero Vallis last month, though ahead of Volcano, Diesel D‘Allier and Galvin. The latter started favourite that day so is probably capable of better but Dan Skelton’s charge has only been raised 3lb so there is no reason why he won’t confirm the form and come out best again. Fury Road was in good form around this time last year but he’s become very disappointing but Minella Indo has his sights lowered and could be a factor if taking to these fences with Rachael Blackmore doing the steering. GESSKILLE will have stamina to prove and is also having a first run in a cross-country race but he beat some smart French chasers in their own backyard at Auteuil in September and followed up in the Grand Sefton at Aintree with his form over the Grand National fences suggesting he won’t be fazed by this challenge.
Minella Indo (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, disputed 2nd, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, no impression and dropped to rear before 2 out, no extra, last of 4, 21 1/4l behind Gerri Colombe (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Galvin (IRE) 10-3fav (12-0) Wore hood to post, held up towards rear, steady headway 20th, driven along and no impression in 7th before the last, weakened run-in, 8th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Fury Road (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, dropped to 2nd before 2nd, improved to dispute lead 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along and headed, ridden and weakened to 5th before last, no extra and dropped to rear run-in, 6th of 7, 34 1/2l behind Macgiloney (11-0) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f Yielding in Aug.
Gesskille (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) Prominent, travelled strongly, led 12th (canal turn), ridden at elbow, kept on well, always doing enough, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Nov beating Percussion (10-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Enjoy D'allen (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 5th and dropped to rear, some progress before 6 out where not fluent, pushed along before 2 out where mistake, no extra in 5th before last and kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Birchdale (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Latenightpass 9-2 (10-5) Mistakes in last pair, hit 23rd, headway 26th, went 2nd after 3 out, 2 lengths to find at the last, stayed on same pace and no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway stayed on run-in, went modest 4th inside final 150 yards, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 13, 15l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Diesel D'Allier (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 25th, soon towards rear, 9th of 13, 21 3/4l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Vital Island (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Led, pushed along and pressed from 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Birchdale (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Fameaftertheglory 7-4 (12-2) Ww rr, prog to mid-div by 8th (tyres), mod 6th bef 4out (drop bank), ko but nvr nrr, 7th of 14, 17 1/2l behind Lough Derg Spirit (12-2) at Lingstown 3m sft in Nov.
Wick Green 16-1 (10-11) Close up, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Hascoeur Clermont (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Volcano (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Led until before 7th, chased leader, led again before 24th until next, chased winner until after 2 out, chased leaders, weakened and lost places inside final 150 yards, 5th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Didero Vallis (FR) 22-1 (10-2) Chased leader until before 7th, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, switched right and rallied last, stayed on run-in, went modest 3rd inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 13, 11 1/4l behind Foxy Jacks (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
