jumped right, keen hold, led soon after 3rd to 7th, blundered 8th, weakened 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
led to after 3rd, chased leader, regained lead 7th, in command 2 out, drew well clear between last 2
chased leaders, mistake 11th, chased winner before next, ridden approaching 2 out, soon well held
held up in 5th, driven after 4 out, went poor 3rd last
held up in rear, jumped slowly 11th, moderate progress from 2 out
Imperial Commander should take all the beating, with Classic Croco and Over The Creek seen as the main dangers. Imperial Commander is a bit of a course-specialist already, having turned out here five times from his seven career starts, with two successes up the famous hill to his name already. A creditable seventh in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle at this year's Festival, he looked one to follow over fences when hacking up from Over The Creek here last month, and the latter was fortunate to be gifted the runner-up spot when Paulo Dancer took an ill-fated fall at the last. He has 16-lengths to make up, and a 5lb pull is hardly likely to be enough. That leaves Classic Croco as the main threat. The ex-Paul Nicholls inmate has done quite well since joining Tom Hogan, and gained a fast-ground chase success at Gowran Park in October. Karelian has experience over the bigger obstacles and will like the ground, but has a tough task against the selection, Imperial Commander who can stamp his class on this small field.
Classic Croco (GER) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden in moderate 5th 3 out, kept on without threatening from next, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Sky's The Limit (11-2) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs gd.
Imperial Commander (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Made all, hit 5th, left well clear last, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f beg chs (3) gd in Oct beating Over The Creek (11-3) by 16l, 6 ran.
Karelian 8-1 (11-8) Led to 7th, led again after 8th, headed 11th, ridden after 5 out, blundered 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Tidal Bay (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Nation State 6-4 (11-2) Prominent, joined leader 5th, ridden and led 4 out, in command when left clear 3 out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gf in Oct beating Thunder Child (10-13) by 18l, 4 ran.
Over The Creek 5-2 (11-3) Raced wide, held up, headway 3 out, no chance when slighty hampered last, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Imperial Commander (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Predicament 25-1 (10-8) In touch, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, dropped rear, headway 12th, held when blundered 4 out, 4th of 10, 20l behind Michael Muck (11-4) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
