led, led again after 11th, blundered badly and headed 15th, soon ridden, led approaching 4 out, headed last, short of room and hampered after that, switched right and rallied close home, just failed (placed 1st after stewards inquiry)
led to after 2nd, with leader, tracked leaders after 3rd, mistake and reminders 13th, ridden and weakened 15th, lost 3rd approaching last
chased leader, with leader 9th, led 10th to after 11th, left in lead 13th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, led last, hard ridden and edged left after, just held on (placed 2nd after stewards inquiry)
held up and not jumped well, lost touch approaching 12th, plugged one pace to take distant 3rd approaching last
Leading Authority won with plenty of authority at Lingfield last time and can follow up here under a penalty, with Niche Market likely to prove the main danger. The selection was eased down to record a 12 length success at the Surrey track, comes from a yard in great form and handles cut well, so he looks capable of giving weight away to the other trio. Niche Market represents a yard that does well here and on some form lines over hurdles he would not be too far away from the selection. He hasn't won yet under rules however, and although we can see him going very well he is opposed. Minella Tipperary was a shade disappointing last time with conditions to suit and Supreme Cara may be a better proposition with conditions and trip to suit, but preference is for Leading Authority, who looks a very useful recruit on this sort of ground.
Leading Authority (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed after 5th, led again 12th, clear and in command approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec beating Mort De Rire (11-9) by 12l, 10 ran.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) In touch, headway 13th, ridden 15th, lost touch 2 out, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Crystal d'Ainay (11-9) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Niche Market (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, weakening when hit last, 4th of 6, 7l behind Verasi (11-1) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Supreme Cara 9-1 (10-4) Chased leader, led 11th, blundered badly and headed 2 out, every chance run-in, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Pasagai (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
