held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, reminder after 5th, headway from 4 out, stayed on flat, unable to trouble leading pair
chased leaders, driven in 2nd 2 out, no extra final 100 yards
led, jumped right, not fluent 3rd, blundered badly 3 out, headed last, stayed on, no impression on winner
held up in rear, pushed along after 13th, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, hit 15th, headway after 4 out, led going best last, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2nd, not fluent 8th, weakened after 4 out, blundered 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader until 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 15th, soon ridden, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, no impression
mid-division, headway 15th, ridden before 2 out, no extra last
mid-division, reminder after 11th, driven after 4 out, headway on outside before next, jumped right when one pace 2 out, no extra
This is a cracking contest as all nine runners have already won over fences, mostly in decent company. Pick of the home team may be Pantxoa, who has rattled up a hat-trick in handicaps. He's improved since beating Twirling Magnet over 3m2f at Ffos Las in August, though the runner-up is 12lb off having only been beaten a length-and-a-half. But Ireland are strongly represented with Minella For Value having won his last three and Raajih already successful over this trip at Kilbeggan and Perth. But the latter appears to have a bit to find with SIZING SYMPHONY on a line through recent Listowel second Ancient Days so Henry De Bromhead's charge gets the nod. He's had just the two starts over fences and seems certain to be suited by this first try at 3m. According To Trev hasn't beaten much in a couple of starts at Southwell and could be found out in this grade.
According To Trev (IRE) 4-5fav (10-13) Tracked leader until after 2nd and again from 4th, challenged 13th, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 3m nov chs (4) gd in Sep beating Brassick (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Minella For Value (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd for much, 2nd before straight, challenged and on terms last, stayed on well on stand's rail run-in to edge ahead closing stages, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 gd beating Count Salazar (11-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pantxoa (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Jumped slightly right at times, made all, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 3m Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (3) gd beating Brassick (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Raajih 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Double Ross (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sep.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Bouggler (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Ultragold (FR) 8-1 (10-10) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 6f 5yo chs hvy in Apr beating Sizing France (10-10) by shd, 10 ran.
Faultless Feelings (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Made all, joined briefly 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Sep beating Civil Disobedience (11-4) by 18l, 6 ran.
Oscargo (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Tracked winner, shaken up and 1 length down when fell 2 out, in a race won by Bold Chief (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gf in Aug, 4 ran.
Sizing Symphony (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Led and disputed early, 2nd from 3rd, moderate 2nd from 6th, closed on leader 6 out, improved to lead approaching 2 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Toner D'Oudairies (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f nov chs sft in Sep.
