held up, slow and lost place 8th, unseated rider next
mid-division, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place and behind soon after 8th
tracked leaders, mistakes 5th and 6th, ridden and weakened 13th, mistake 5 out
in touch, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance flat, not quicken
tracked leaders, led 12th, headed 4 out, faded
in rear when hit 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
towards rear, steady progress from 5 out
held up, steady headway 13th, chasing winner when hit 3 out, one pace
mid-division, effort 12th, ridden and kept on
led, headed 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, blundered 2 out
towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, led 4 out, pressed flat, kept on well
Champagne Harry can continue the good run of Nigel Twiston-Davies, with Tom Sayers, Natal and Two Miles West seen as the main dangers. This ever popular fixture begins with a class 2 handicap chase in which last year's winner Tribal Venture lines up again. Better claims are held by his stablemate Tom Sayers here though, but he too is taken on with Champagne Harry. His stable is in terrific form, and although beaten in a lower grade affair at Stratford last time, he remains in good heart and is in receipt of plenty of weight from his main rivals. Natal was a classy hurdler and a decent novice chaser, but is saddled with topweight here, and is perhaps best watched on his return to the fray, while Jonjo O'Neill relies on Two Miles West who needs to find a few pounds to figure. David Pipe is double-handed, but neither of his make much appeal, and for the winner we shall rely on Champagne Harry.
Natal (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) Chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 9th, ridden after 5 out, left 2nd 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Yes Sir (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Always in rear, not jump well, pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Harris Bay (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Unleash (USA) 6-1 (12-0) Cl up til outpcd 15; blun & unseated rider in race won by Caught At Dawn (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp frm in May, 8 ran.
Tom Sayers (IRE) 8-11fav (10-11) Made all, hard pressed, ridden 3 out, took definite advantage 2 out, driven out, won at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Aug beating Bengal Bullet (10-13) by 4l, 6 ran.
Le Duc (FR) 33-1 (10-10) In touch, weakened 21st and pulled up in race won by Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr, 23 ran.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out soon weakened, 9th of 16, 24l behind Iron Man (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 15-8 (11-6) Led to 9th, chased leader until 12th, close 3rd when blundered badly 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Square Mile (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Two Miles West (IRE) 1-3fav (11-6) Held up, hit 6th, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gs in Aug beating Tycoon Hall (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Champagne Harry 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed after next, rallied last, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind The King of Angels (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Tribal Venture (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Led, headed 12th, ridden 4 out, rallied to lead 2 out, faded and headed last, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lord Ryeford (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Tanterari (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Always behind, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Sparkling Taff (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Bowleaze (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 14th, 6th of 12, 38l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
