tracked leader, not fluent 1st, led after 4th, hit next and headed, led again 4 out, hit last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, closed before next, ridden and went 2nd towards finish, unable to challenge winner
held up in 4th off the pace, not fluent 1st or 4th, ridden before 2 out, still 4th and 8 lengths off leader and no impression when fell last
led, jumped right at times and not always fluent, headed after 4th, led next, headed 4 out, hit last, led flat, edged right towards finish, stayed on well
Nonrunner
With victories in five of the last six renewals, Paul Nicholls is looking to Vibrato Valtat to add to his tally. A recent winner at Warwick, the five-year-old ran well here before that, on the same card COURT MINSTREL (NAP) landed a novices' chase. Evan Williams' charge has now won both starts over fences and collateral form gives him the beating of the Nicholls chaser. Little Jon and Duke Of Navan recorded narrow-margin wins on their latest starts but Dunraven Storm was more impressive when scoring at Exeter. Sgt Reckless made a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter and should also go well.
Little Jon 6-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 7th or 9th, mistake and headed 4 out, led after 3 out, not fluent and went left 2 out, soon headed, led again after last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) sft in Oct beating Solar Impulse (10-4) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd approaching 6th, challenged on bit on inside after 2 out, virtually upsides last, forged into lead final 50 yards, unextended, won at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gs beating Thomas Crapper (11-1) by 1l, 5 ran.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, disputed 2nd from 8th, joined leader soon after 2 out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft in Oct beating Urban Hymn (11-2) by hd, 5 ran.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led from 2nd, made rest, stayed on well from last, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Far West (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Raced keenly, held up in touch, slightly hampered 3rd, tracked leaders 3 out, poised to challenge on outside between last 2, shaken up to lead flat, soon clear, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct beating Chris Pea Green (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sgt Reckless 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, shaken up flat, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Gentleman Jon (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
