held up behind, niggled along from 8th, headway after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division until weakened approaching 4 out, behind and pulled up before 3 out
led until 5th, led next, ridden and headed after 3 out, faded
chased leaders until 12th, soon behind
soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, led 5th until next, hit 13 and 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 2nd and 8th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd approaching last but no chance with winner, hung right flat, lost 2nd near finish
held up mid-division, headway after 11th, blundered 4 out, led after 3 out, soon clear readily
chased leaders until 8th, towards rear when pulled up before 10th
mid-divsion, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from last, went 2nd near finish
held up, headway from 12th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
Maljimar and Patman Du Charmil are considered but the vote goes to Nacarat. Tom George's charge was an unconsidered 12-1 shot on his British debut at Wincanton but could hardly have won more authoritatively. He has shot up more than a stone in the weights as a result but fully earned that with his display. This is tougher but he put in a clean round of jumping and clearly relishes this trip and ground and is open to improvement. That's something which Patman Du Charmil doesn't appear to have a great deal of room for but he's run three smashing races here already this season and this is a shade less competitive. His chance is respected. Maljimar finished second to Knowhere here in October thus marking him down as one to follow this season but things have gone awry since, unseating at the first at Newbury before finding 2 miles an inadequate test. There should be no excuses this afternoon. Opera Mundi is progressive and Liam Heard's claim will aid his cause but the drop in trip isn't in his favour, New Little Bric has to put a poor run behind him and is now tried in blinkers whilst Model Son has jumping issues to address. The claims of Nacarat are preferred.
New Little Bric (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th (water), reminder after 10th, weakened after next, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Private Be 12-1 (10-6) Led until approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 11th of 20, 32l behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Led, ridden when headed last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Time To Sell (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on without threatening winner from next, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Mister Top Notch (11-12) at Cork 2m 2f hdl hvy.
Tora Bora (GER) 14-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden 10th, weakened under pressure approaching 4 out, 7th of 13, 20l behind Vodka Bleu (10-3) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec.
Nacarat (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led after 8th, drew clear from 4 out, heavily eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Kaldouas (10-13) by 14l, 10 ran.
Preacher Boy 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden before 18th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Maljimar (IRE) 10-3fav (10-3) Mid-division but in touch, jumped left 1st, hit 7th, not fluent 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Model Son (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Led until fell in race won by Regal Heights (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft, 8 ran.
Burntoakboy 18-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 24l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
De Blanc (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Chomba Womba (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f lst hdl (1) sft.
Opera Mundi (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, led approaching last, edged right, just held on, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov beating Heez A Dreamer (11-6) by a hd, 13 ran.
