held up in rear, headway after 7th, went 2nd when pecked 3 out, weakening when not fluent last
tracked leader, led 4 out, joined 2 out, soon hard ridden, narrowly headed before last, still every chance flat, held towards finish
held up, headway 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off
towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, well behind next, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
ran in snatches, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, reminder after 4th, jumped slowly 6th, soon ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied from 2 out to take 3rd last, kept on flat, gaining towards finish
held up in rear, ridden 7th, headway approaching 4 out, edged left and challenged 2 out, narrow lead before last, strongly pressed flat, driven out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
Oiseau De Nuit got his act together over fences when last seen and is respected on this first run for a new yard, however SUPER FORMEN was still going well when tipping up last time and is taken to atone for that error this afternoon. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding ran well behind Kew Jumper on his reappearance run at Worcester in October before unseating his rider last time out. He is yet to win over this far but he stays the trip well and is a proven winner on testing ground. Oiseau De Nuit beat Bleu Superbe at Cheltenham in April and has a 7lb rise in the weights for that success; he has since left Phillip Hobbs but is still owned by Terry Warner. Magic Sky returns to fences and he has some good form to his name, including a solid fifth behind Stan in the Red Rum Handicap in April 2008. Mont Present makes his debut over fences in this country this afternoon; a recent run over hurdlers should have sharpened him up and his experience in France should stand him in good stead. Blinkers are tried on the ex-Irish Island Life, Irish Legend's best form has come on quicker ground and he too tries headgear, whilst Mister Potter is proven in these conditions but he flopped last time out and needs to bounce back over this more suitable trip. Qhilimar was in the process of running a good race when tumbling at Cheltenham last time out and he is unexposed, Bertie May was left clear at the last when winning at Exeter, whilst Babe Heffron should appreciate the step back up in trip and he caught a tartar last time in the shape of chasing debutant Suntini. A very open handicap however the tentative selection is given to Super Formen.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Held up, closed 9th, hit 4 out, led 2 out, idled and hung badly right flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gs in Apr beating Bleu Superbe (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Super Formen (FR) 7-1 (11-4) In touch, close 6th and going ok when unseated rider on flat after 13th, in a race won by Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Mont Present (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened soon after 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Dontpaytheferryman (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Island Life (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In touch when mistake 2nd, soon dropped to rear, blundered badly 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Psychomodo (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Irish Legend (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, dropped to rear 11th (5 out) headway into 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no chance and left poor 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 27l behind Bertie May (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Mister Potter 10-1 (10-13) Hit 2nd and 12th, always behind, 7th of 14, well behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Qhilimar (FR) 16-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, led after 4 out, blundered and headed 3 out, still 2nd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Bertie May 3-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd before 8th, challenged going well and about to lead when left clear last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov beating Irish Legend (10-13) by 27l, 6 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 7th, every chance 4 out, jumped left and stumbled slightly 3 out, beaten 2 out, stayed on flat, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Back Among Friends 16-1 (11-0) Tended to jump left, led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead and blundered 6th, headed approaching 3 out, rallied to regain lead next, blundered and headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 6l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Magic Sky (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd on inside and every chance 2 out, dropped to 3rd soon after and lost 3rd final stride, 4th of 6, 9l behind Spear Thistle (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led at decent pace, ridden and headed 2 out, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Suntini (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
