held up in touch, beaten from 8th, tailed off
tracked leader, every chance 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and always held
tracked leaders, weakened from 8th, tailed off
made all, mistake 3 out, ridden and jumped left last, kept on, driven out
always in rear and mistakes, pulled up halfway
AUX PTITS SOINS lost his unbeaten record over timber in last season's World Hurdle at Cheltenham but that was his first run since winning the Coral Cup at The Festival in the previous year. He could take high order among this season's novice chase ranks and is unlikely to fail here through lack of fitness. Drumlee Sunset is two from two here in bumpers and hurdles so can make a race of it but, barring accidents, it will be a surprise if any of the others are still in with a chance over the final few fences.
Archie Rice (USA) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, outpaced and bumped after 3 out, one pace, 6th of 10, 17l behind Winter Walk (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Aux Ptits Soins (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, headway to track leaders after 3 out, ridden and outpaced in 4th after next, soon beaten, weakened flat, 5th of 12, dist behind Thistlecrack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Comical Red 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders in 3rd , reluctant and reminders 2nd, jumped slowly and lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Drumlee Sunset (IRE) 1-8fav (11-5) Made virtually all, ridden between last 2, driven out flat, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating Orchard Park (10-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
The Finger Post (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mistakes in rear, tailed off when fell heavily 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
