led and clear until approaching 2nd, headed when not fluent 8th, soon weakened, left moderate 3rd next
held up, headway 5th, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
chased leader, hit 7th, every chance 4 out, ridden from next, one pace from 2 out
held up, headway 2nd, hit 4th, mistake next, reminder after 6th, led 8th, driven and stayed on well flat
held up, pushed along and out paced from 7th, closed on leaders before 8th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out
Few are ruled out in an interesting Beginners Chase but Sobers is marginally preferred to French Saulaie, Oscar d'Angron and Off Spin. Nick Gifford's charge was always going to come into his own as a chaser and was sent off a well backed favourite on his chase bow at Wincanton. He looked held when falling three out but jumped well in the main and this could prove to be less competitive. He has never won over a trip this short but the testing conditions should help to make this more of a test of stamina. French Saulaie was the best of these over hurdles and it would be no surprise to see him play a leading role on his chase bow with conditions to suit but Oscar d'Angron was a costly failure at Sandown last time and may be best watched. Off Spin showed plenty of promise in two runs in 2005 but he has to prove that he retains his ability and Sobers is a far more reliable proposition for the top prize.
Back Among Friends 25-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, blundered 5th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Benetwood (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
French Saulaie (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Always behind, tailed off, 15th of 17, 45l behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Off Spin 40-1 (11-0) Mistake, always behind, hit 2nd, jumped right next not fluent 4th, soon tailed off, 9th of 10, 38l behind Boychuk (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov '05.
Oscar D'angron (FR) 8-11fav (11-11) Led until 8th, chased leader until blundered 10th, beaten when blundered 13th, last of 6, 37l behind Rajam (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Sobers (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Pulled early, disputed lead 2nd to 4th, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, close up when fell 3 out in race won by Pur De Sivola (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Thenford Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 37l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
