keen, went badly left 1st, held up in rear, left in 4th place at 3rd, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, never on terms
tracked leading pair, went 2nd and jumped right 4 out, mistake and stumbled 2 out, lost modest 2nd at the last
chased winner until pushed along 4 out, went 2nd again at the last, no chance with winner
made all, slightly hampered by loose horse 4 out, clear after next, unchallenged
held up in 4th place, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
White Moon, a useful novice hurdler last season, has been highly tried in two runs to date over the larger obstacles. With a clear round, he should make a bold bid to win this for the Tizzards for the second year running but THE LAST DAY could give him plenty to think about. He couldn’t match the speed of the impressive Knocknanuss at Newbury but was clear second best when coming to grief and could be the value against the likely favourite. Notre Ami has twice finished third over fences but was well beaten on both occasions.
Maratt (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Slowly away, in rear, went 5th 2 out, left 4th last, never on terms, 4th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Fairway Freddy (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Notre Ami (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 2 out, kept on into modest 3rd, never a threat, 3rd of 9, 21 1/4l behind First Drift (11-0) at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec.
The Last Day (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, well held and no chance with winner from 4 out, fell last, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
White Moon (GER) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, took closer order 8th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (2) sft in Dec.
Legend Lady 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.