held up behind, mistake 4th, headway and in touch when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with leaders from next
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
with leader, led 4th, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden and one pace after last, no impression in 4th flat
tracked leaders, left 3rd at 3rd, effort and every chance on inside 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner
mistake 1st, led narrowly, headed 4th, pressed leader, led again narrowly 2 out, ridden after last, headed and not pace of winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leading pair when fell 3rd
Nonrunner
Howwoulduno was only beaten a short-head at Perth last time but is thoroughly exposed having already run 11 times over the larger obstacles. COURT MINSTREL had little to beat on his chasing bow at Newton Abbot but jumped well and the easier going today is in his favour. He was good enough to land a Scottish Champion Hurdle and is going to win plenty of races over fences if translating that form to his new career. Chris Pea Green only managed one victory over timber but ran some fine races in defeat against top-class opposition and will be a threat to all if embracing the new challenge. He has better long-term prospects than Falcarragh. Thomas Crapper will be more effective when given a more searching test of stamina.
Falcarragh (IRE) 6-4 (11-10) Raced in last, slow 2nd, jumped right next, went 3rd 7th, niggled away from 5 out, mistake 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Kitchapoly (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sep.
Court Minstrel (IRE) Evens (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader, challenged going well 2 out, led when steadied and mistake last, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sep beating Keltus (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Howwoulduno (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked winner until 10th and again 4 out, challenged 3 out, led next, hung right and idled flat, headed towards finish, stayed on close home, 2nd of 4, hd behind Ainsi Fideles (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Sep.
Chris Pea Green 6-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, headway to 3rd approaching 4th, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on to 2nd flat and soon driven, closing gradually but no impression when lost 2nd final 100 yards and stayed on same pace after, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Kayf Moss (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Thomas Crapper 5-1fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside from 5th, tracking leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 14, 26l behind Brother Brian (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Un Ace (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Lac Fontana (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Dr Anubis (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Held up, struggling from 7th, tailed off 4 out, last of 5, well behind Able Deputy (11-11) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Jun.
