chased leader, challenged on bit 2 out, chased winner approaching last where not fluent, driven and stayed on run-in
tracked leaders on inside, hit 3rd, slightly outpaced 3 out, switched out and challenged next, led before the last, driven out
raced wide tracking leaders, pushed along after 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
led, hit 3rd, reached for 7th, joined 2 out, headed before the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd run-in
A select contest with all four rating highly. Le Patriote's best hurdle form is strong but this does rate a tough ask on chasing debut, whereas Lisp has taken really well to larger obstacles and has little to find with Master Fisher on their Warwick form last November. Alan King's charge has subsequently dotted up at Plumpton and is clearly going the right way. Al Dancer has a strong shout on the best of his chase form this season and will appreciate drying ground but MISTER FISHER really impressed when obliging at Cheltenham and looks highly progressive. He drops is trip here but is perfectly at home over 2m and gets the nod after such a strong performance last time.
Al Dancer (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Held up in 4th place, switched left to outside to challenge 3 out, every chance next, no extra before last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 4l behind Global Citizen (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Mister Fisher (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Chased leader, hit 7th, went 2nd 9th until 13th, went 2nd again before 2 out, not fluent last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec beating Good Boy Bobby (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Le Patriote (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon closed back up, outpaced 2 out, well held when jumped left last, last of 8, 14 1/4l behind Call Me Lord (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Lisp (IRE) 2-13fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, left clear next, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec beating Flaminger (10-8) by 19l, 5 ran.
