held up behind leading pair, nudged along after 13th, went 2nd after 4 out, switched right after 3 out, went left next, switched right again approaching last, shaken up to lead flat, pushed out
prominent, not fluent 2nd, led 11th till 5 out, soon ridden, mistake next, beaten when hit 2 out
held up behind leading pair, went left and blundered 9th, unseated rider soon after
led until 11th, prominent, led 5 out, went slightly right final 3, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra
NAKAI is taken to see off Wichita Lineman. Paul Nicholls' charge is making a chasing debut but he was a solid enough performer over the smaller obstacles and he certainly gave the impression that we'd be seeing better when he were to graduate to this discipline. There's no argument that Wichita Lineman has the capability to win a race of this nature but he does not always look the most straight-forward of customers and he will need to give a winners penalty all around. Three miles should be fine. Pancake has had plenty of experience in this sphere. He doesn't particularly strike as a genuine three miler and he will be the benchmark that the handicapper will be using. Charlie Longsdon's team aren't in tip top form at the moment so Iwillrememberyou is reluctantly passed over. Nakai is the selection in a fair event.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 12th until next, led briefly approaching 4 out, ridden to press winner until after 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Lodge Lane (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Iwillrememberyou (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, hit 9th, ridden next, weakening when mistake 3 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Galant Nuit (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Nakai (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Held up, headway after 3 out, chased winner soon after, switched left approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Duc De Regniere (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Pancake (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Led until hit 12th, regained lead 14th, ridden and headed before 4 out, one pace after, 4th of 8, 14l behind Lodge Lane (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
