in touch, blundered and unseated rider 4th
in rear, left closer before 5th, hampered by loose horse and lost ground after 27th, tried to close after 3 out, no impression on leaders
mid-division, left in lead before 5th, headed 25th, left in lead 27th, headed after 2 out, switched right before leading last, stayed on gamely
prominent, took wrong course after 4th, continued well behind, progress 19th, no impression on leaders from 3 out
very reluctant to race, refused 1st
led, headed but left in lead 4th, slowed down and headed before next, pressed leader, led 25th, blundered and unseated rider 27th
soon well behind, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 24th
behind, effort 22nd, in rear of main group in touch when blundered and slipped on landing 27th, not recover
towards rear, left closer before 5th, mistake 18th, led after 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, held final 75 yards
mid-division, slowed up before 5th, pushed along after 14th, 8th when unseated rider after 20th
chased leaders, took wrong course after 4th, continued, tailed off
towards rear, took closer order before 5th, close up 4th when mistake, swerved left and unseated rider after 3 out
chased leader, led 4th, took wrong course shortly after, continued well behind, headway approaching 15th, challenging 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, stumbled 21st, no progress
Nonrunner
Spot Thedifference will no doubt be a popular choice, but we shall take him on with Le Duc, while Puntal, Royal Auclair and Omni Cosmo Touch could all make their presence felt. Le Duc got round here to finish third at the Cheltenham Festival, with Spot Thedifference a place behind, and at the age of eight, he has time on his side. One of two Paul Nicholls runners, the other being the one time high-class Royal Auclair, Le Duc had the misfortune to unseat his rider at Wincanton, having previously gone close on his return at Chepstow, and he should now be spot on. Far from fluent over fences admittedly, a clear round puts him in with a leading chance. Puntal is not the force that he once was, but is no stranger to long distance affairs, and Omni Cosmo Touch caught the eye on his return over hurdles, but is held by Spot Thedifference on earlier Punchestown form. In receipt of weight from the latter though, Le Duc is given the vote.
Dom Fontenail (FR) (10-8) Tracked leaders, one pace, 5th of 7, 26l behind Moskitos D'Isigny (11-3) at Enghien 2m 3f ch in Sept.
Royal Auclair (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, hit 12th, ridden after 16th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 37l behind Harris Bay (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf.
Spot Thedifference (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, trailing from before halfway, 8th of 10, 49l behind Rinroe (11-6) at Galway 2m 4f nov hdl hvy in Oct.
Florida Dream (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Led until blundered badly and headed 3rd, chased leader until weakened from 15th, 7th of 14, 24l behind Mister Apple's (9-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Omni Cosmo Touch (USA) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 3rd, mistake and ridden from 4 out, soon dropped to 4th and no impression, 3rd and kept on same pace straight, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Kerryhead Windfarm (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
Juful Tennis (FR) (10-8) Behind Membo Du Re (10-8) at Dieppe 3m 5f chs in Jul, 6 ran.
Metal Detector (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Behind, mistake 3rd and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Youll Do For Me (11-7) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Millanymare (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, progress after 5 out, 8th after next, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, no extra from last, 4th of 14, 6l behind Just (10-9) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Oct.
Casadei (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, closed in 4th 3 out, 3rd from last, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace late run-in, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mon Oiseau (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 gd.
Dulgodti Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until lost place 10th, soon beaten, 6th of 7, well behind Patman Du Charmil (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Sept.
Happy Hussar (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Mid-division, not jump well, lost touch 6th, 7th of 13, 36l behind Arnold Layne (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Le Duc (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, 3rd when jumped right and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Puntal (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 10th, weakened 13th, 7th of 12, 38l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 7th, soon outpaced, last of 9, 40l behind Snow's Ride (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Freneys Well (12-0) Won at Ballinrobe Point 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Fountainsmemory (12-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
